Targeting content based on location

ABSTRACT

Assets of broadcast network content are targeted to network users of interest based on location information regarding user equipment devices. Asset providers can specify location targeting criteria via a graphical user interface displaying mapping information. This location targeting criteria can then be compared to location information regarding user equipment devices so that assets are delivered to appropriate devices. The comparison of the location targeting criteria to the device location information can be performed at the user equipment devices or at another location. In the latter case, the assets can be addressed to appropriate user equipment devices or appropriate user equipment devices can be directed to select the asset, which is broadcast via the network. In this manner, assets can be targeted to individual network users on a basis independent of network topology.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/887,747, entitled, “TARGETING CONTENT BASED ONLOCATION,” filed on Feb. 1, 2007, the contents of which are incorporatedherein as if set forth in full.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to providing targeted assets ina broadcast network and, in particular, to targeting such assets basedon location information that is independent of broadcast networktopology.

BACKGROUND

In broadcast networks, content is made available to multiple users,typically in synchronous fashion, without being specifically addressedto individual user equipment devices in point-to-point fashion. Examplesof broadcast networks include cable and satellite television networks,satellite radio networks, IP networks used for multicasting content andnetworks used for podcasts or telephony broadcasts/multicasts. Contentmay also be broadcast over the airwaves. The content may be consumed byusers in real-time or on a time-shifted basis (e.g., recorded for laterplayback). Broadcast network content may be re-distributed in a directaddress network, e.g., an IP network or data enabled telephony network.

Broadcast network content often includes programming content andinformational content. For example, in the case of a television network,the programming content may include news programs, serial televisionprograms, movies, paid programming or other content. The informationalcontent may include advertisements, public service announcements, adtags, trailers, crawls, weather or emergency notifications and a varietyof other content, including both paid and unpaid content. Items ofprogramming content and/or informational content constitute assets ofasset providers such as advertisers or programming content providers.

In order to achieve a better return on their investment, asset providersoften desire to target their assets to a selected audience. The case ofadvertisers on a cable television network is illustrative. For instance,an advertiser or a cable television network may desire to target its adsto certain demographic groups based on, for example, gender, age,income, geographic location, etc. Accordingly, under the conventionaladvertising model, once an advertiser has created an ad that is targetedto a desired group of viewers (e.g., targeted group) the advertiser mayattempt to procure insertion times in the network programming when thetargeted group is expected to be among the audience of the networkprogramming.

Targeting based on geographic location is of particular interest forcertain advertisers. Continuing with the example of ads on a televisionnetwork, an advertiser may desire to target ads or customize ads basedon geographic zones or the like. For example, an advertiser may wish tolimit ad distribution to locations proximate to a business outlet or tocustomize ads with contact information that varies depending onlocation, e.g., contact information for the local automobile dealership.In such cases, it would be advantageous to target or customize ads basedon the location of asset delivery.

Unfortunately, location targeting of ads in broadcast networks hasgenerally been available only on a coarse basis. In the case of airwavetelevision broadcast networks, for example, national and local ad spotsmay be designated. In this manner, certain ads can be “targeted” withrespect to large broadcast areas, such as on a city-by-city basis. Incable networks, somewhat finer targeting is possible. For example, cablenetwork are generally divided into a number of subdivisions associatedwith network nodes. In some cases, different ads can be inserted atdifferent nodes, allowing for finer location based targeting than isgenerally possible in airwave broadcast networks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that improved location targeting of assets inconnection with distribution or re-distribution of broadcast networkcontent may benefit network operators, asset providers and networkusers. Specifically, conventional location targeting has certainlimitations. For example, even in the case of cable networks,conventional location targeting of assets is generally limited tonetwork topology, e.g., network subdivisions associated with contentinsertion nodes. Such topology may or may not match geographic zonesdesired for targeting by asset providers. For example, such assetproviders may desire to target assets based on geographic zones ofdealerships, delivery zones of restaurants, neighborhood boundaries, zipcodes, political boundaries or the like, which may not match anyrelevant network topology areas. Indeed, such targeting zones may be ofarbitrary or complex shapes and may be composed of discontiguoussegments. Moreover, location may be one factor of a set of targetingcriteria, e.g., likely voters over the age of 50 within a given districtor precinct. Conventional location targeting as described above does notprovide such functionality.

The present invention is directed to a system and associatedfunctionality for improved location targeting in a broadcast network.The invention allows for targeting independent of (i.e., not limited tothe structure of) network topology, implementation of asset deliverydecisions based on location of a user equipment device (e.g. customerpremises equipment such as a set-top box or enhanced television, orportable equipment such as a wireless phone, PDA, portable harddrive-based device, or the like), and targeting based on a set ofcriteria including location and other criteria. In this manner, theability to target assets to desired network users based on location,alone or in combination with other criteria, is greatly enhanced.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method andapparatus (“utility”) is provided for implementing location targeting ofassets of broadcast network content based on asset delivery informationreceived at a user equipment device. The utility involves receivingasset delivery information regarding an asset, determining a locationcriterion from the asset delivery request, and making a determinationregarding delivery of the asset using the location criterion andlocation information relating to the user equipment device. For example,the delivery determination may be executed at the user equipment deviceusing location information for the device stored or otherwise obtainedat the user equipment device. In this regard, the location informationfor the device may be determined at a separate processing platform andtransmitted to the device or may be determined, at least in part, at thedevice. In this manner, assets may be distributed in a broadcast modewhereas delivery decisions are implemented at individual user equipmentdevices. Alternatively, the delivery determination (based on locationand/or other criteria) may be made at a location separate from the userequipment device (e.g., at a network headend), and the selected asset(s)may be directly addressed in the user equipment device (e.g., based on aMAC or IP address). In any case, location targeting can be implementedin a manner that is independent of network topology.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, locationtargeting is implemented by disseminating a location criterionassociated with an asset in a broadcast network. An associated utilityinvolves inserting an asset in a broadcast network and inserting alocation criterion related to the asset in the broadcast network. Thelocation criterion may be transmitted together with the asset and/orindependent of the asset. For example, in one implementation, thelocation criterion may be distributed in advance of transmission of theasset. The location criterion, alone or together with other targetingcriteria, may optionally be used by individual user equipment devices tocast votes that are used to select assets for dissemination via thebroadcast network. Additionally or alternatively, the location criterionmay be transmitted together with the associated asset, for example, inthe form of metadata. In this case, the location criterion can be usedby the user equipment device to select appropriate assets for delivery.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, autility is provided for implementing location based targetingindependent of network topology. The utility involves providing anetwork having a network topology defined by a number of subdivisions,wherein different content can be transmitted via a given bandwidthsegment (e.g., a channel) to user equipment devices in differentsubdivisions, and targeting an asset to user equipment devicesindependent of the network topology. For example, users in differentnetwork subdivisions may receive the same asset due to inclusion withina defined targeting zone and/or users in a common network subdivisionmay receive different assets due to different status in relation to adefined targeting zone. Significantly enhanced location based targetingcan therefore be achieved as targeting is not constrained to networktopology.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, aninterface is used for specifying targeting criterion. An associatedutility involves accessing an interface for use in specifying targetinginformation for assets to be delivered to users of the broadcastnetwork, specifying, via the interface, location information independentof network topology; and using the location information to establish atargeting criterion for use in targeting the asset to network users. Forexample, an asset provider or other party may specify a geographicaltargeting zone for an asset using a graphical user interface. Thegraphical user interface may display a map such that the targeting zonemay be simply specified in relation to the map. Alternatively, thetargeting zone may be specified as a radius from a business or otherlocation, by reference to a neighborhood or geographical feature orpolitical boundary, be reference to a predefined geographical zone, by alist of addresses such as a mailing list or by any other appropriateinformation. The utility may further include a processor for receivingsuch an input and converting the input into location information. Thislocation information may be expressed in a variety of formats defining,for example, a circle, a polygon, grid elements included within thetargeting zone, etc. Targeting zones can thereby be simply specified.Such zones may be of arbitrary or complex shapes and may be composed ofdiscontiguous segments. Optionally, a network operator or other partymay place limitations on permissible zones, e.g., minimum size, maximumsize, allowable or disallowable shapes (e.g., no discontiguous shapesallowed) or other limitations as may be desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and furtheradvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates major components of a cable television network.

FIG. 2 illustrates bandwidth usage that is dynamically determined on ageographically dependent basis via networks.

FIG. 3 illustrates asset insertion as accomplished at a headend.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary audience shares of various networks asmay be used to set asset delivery prices for future breaks associatedwith the program.

FIG. 5 illustrates delivery of assets to different users watching thesame programming channel.

FIG. 6 illustrates audience aggregation across multiple programmingchannels.

FIG. 7 illustrates an aggregated audience in the context of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 illustrates targeted asset insertion being implemented atCustomer Premises Equipment (CPEs).

FIG. 9 illustrates asset options being transmitted from a headend onseparate asset channels.

FIG. 10 illustrates a messaging sequence between a CPE, a networkplatform, and a traffic and billing (T&B) system.

FIG. 11A illustrates an example of CPEs that include a television setand a Digital Set Top Box (DSTB) as used by a plurality of users.

FIG. 11B illustrates a user or audience classifier.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a process for implementingtime-slot and targeted impression buys.

FIG. 13 illustrates communications between a network platform and a CPE.

FIG. 14 illustrates an application that is supported by signals fromCPEs and provides targeted assets to users of one or more channelswithin a network.

FIG. 15 illustrates exemplary sequences associated with breaks onprogramming channels.

FIG. 16A illustrates the use of asset channels for providing assetsduring a break of a programming channel.

FIG. 16B illustrates an exemplary asset flotilla.

FIG. 16C illustrates improved asset options via an increase in availablebandwidth

FIG. 17A shows an asset option list for a per break/per channel basis.

FIG. 17B shows a single asset option list for multiple breaks andchannels.

FIG. 18 illustrates a process in which CPEs may vote with respect toasset options for a programming channel.

FIG. 19 illustrates a process of selecting assets for insertion into oneor more asset channels.

FIG. 20 illustrates an arbitration process wherein two or moreprogramming channels have conflicting breaks.

FIG. 21 illustrates a process of shortening network provided availwindow information for a programming period of at least a firstprogramming channel.

FIG. 22 illustrates a process directed to dynamic insertion of assetswith respect to a break of a television programming.

FIG. 23A illustrates a reporting system.

FIG. 23B illustrates information that may be included in a report file.

FIG. 24 illustrates various network components of a reporting system andtheir connections to other functional components of the overall targetedadvertising system.

FIG. 25 illustrates a customer premises side process for implementingreporting functionality.

FIG. 26 illustrates a network side process in connection with thereporting functionality.

FIG. 27 illustrates a process for interfacing a targeted asset systemwith a T&B system.

FIG. 28A is a block diagram of an exemplary targeted content interfacesystem.

FIG. 28B is an exemplary Graphical User Interface (GUI) of the targetedcontent interface of FIG. 28A.

FIG. 28C is an alternative GUI of the targeted content interface of FIG.28A.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of an exemplary targeted content interfaceprocess.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram illustrating a user equipment devicelocation definition structure in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 31A-31B illustrate alternative location definition functionalityand structure in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 32 illustrates a location targeting system in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 33 illustrates an exemplary GUI for the location targeting systemof FIG. 32.

FIGS. 34A-34C illustrate exemplary alternative processing pathways forlocation targeting-related information in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to targeting assets of broadcast networkcontent based, at least in part, on the location of the user equipmentpotentially delivering the asset. Such location targeting may be basedon location criteria defining a target zone of substantially any shapeand size (subject to any limitations implemented by an operator),including discontiguous area segments, and is not limited to networktopology. The invention has particular application with respect tonetworks where content is broadcast to network users; that is, thecontent is made available via the network to multiple users withoutbeing specifically addressed to individual user nodes in point-to-pointfashion. In this regard, content may be broadcast in a variety ofnetworks including, for example, cable and satellite televisionnetworks, satellite radio networks, IP networks used for multicastingcontent and networks used for podcasts or telephonybroadcasts/multicasts. Content may also be broadcast over the airwavesthough, as will be understood from the description below, certainaspects of the invention make use of bi-directional communicationchannels which are not readily available, for example, in connectionwith conventional airwave based televisions or radios (i.e., suchcommunication would involve supplemental communication systems). Invarious contexts, the content may be consumed in real time or stored forsubsequent consumption. Also, certain aspects of the invention areapplicable in contexts where broadcast network content is distributed orre-distributed on a direct address network (e.g., an IP or telephonynetwork) or where assets are directly addressed to user equipmentdevices in a broadcast network (e.g., based on a MAC address). Thus,while specific examples are provided below in the context of a cabletelevision network for purposes of illustration, it will be appreciatedthat the invention is not limited to such contexts but, rather, hasapplication to a variety of networks and transmission modes.

The targeted assets may include any type of asset that is desired to betargeted to network users. It is noted that such targeted assets aresometimes referred to as “addressable” assets (though, as will beunderstood from the description below, targeting can be accomplishedwithout addressing in a point-to-point sense). For example, thesetargeted assets may include advertisements, internal marketing (e.g.,information about network promotions, scheduling or upcoming events),public service announcements, weather or emergency information, orprogramming. The targeted assets may be independent or included in acontent stream with other assets such as untargeted network programming.In the latter case, the targeted assets may be interspersed withuntargeted programming (e.g., provided during programming breaks) or mayotherwise be incorporated onto or combined with the programming as bybeing superimposed on a screen portion in the case of video programming.In the description below, specific examples are provided in the contextof targeted assets provided during breaks in television programming.While this is an important commercial implementation of the invention,it will be appreciated that the invention has broader application. Thus,references below to “programming” (which is a type of asset), asdistinguished from interstitial “assets” such as advertising, are simplyfor convenience and should not be understood as limiting the types ofcontent that may be targeted or the contexts in which such content maybe provided.

The location targeting functionality may advantageously be implementedin the context of a broader targeted asset delivery system that allowsfor targeting of assets based on a variety of factors in addition tolocation. This allows for location targeting involving multiple factors,e.g., targeting of network users in a defined geographic area whosatisfy other targeting constraints. Accordingly, such a targeted assetdelivery system is first described in general below before turning tothe details of the location-based targeting functionality.

In addition, one implementation of the location targeting systemdescribed below involves the use of bandwidth segments (e.g., channels)at least temporarily dedicated to providing asset options. The abilityto provide a large set of asset options in such a system, for example,to accommodate asset targeting to many different locations, and locationtargeting in combination with other targeting criteria, is dependent onthe availability of sufficient bandwidth for asset options. Thisinvolves both optimal identification of available bandwidth and optimaluse of identified bandwidth. Accordingly, the following discussion alsoaddresses scheduling, switched digital network structures and certainother topics that relate to bandwidth optimization. Additionally,certain functionality relating to supporting asset options for multipleprogramming channels and reporting asset delivery is described below.

The following description is divided into a number of sections. In theIntroduction section, the broadcast network and network programmingenvironments are first described. Thereafter, an overview of thetargeted asset environment is provided including a discussion of certainshortcomings of the conventional asset delivery paradigm. The succeedingsection provides an overview of a targeted asset system in accordancewith the present invention highlighting advantages of certain preferredimplementations thereof. Finally, the last section describes individualcomponents of the system in greater detail and provides a detaileddisclosure of exemplary implementations with specific reference totargeted advertising in a cable television environment.

I. INTRODUCTION A. Broadcast Networks

The present invention has particular application in the context ofnetworks primarily used to provide broadcast content, herein termedbroadcast networks. Such broadcast networks generally involvesynchronized distribution of broadcast content to multiple users.However, it will be appreciated that certain broadcast networks are notlimited to synchronously pushing content to multiple users but can alsobe used to deliver content to specific users, including on a user pulledbasis. As noted above, examples of broadcast networks include cabletelevision networks, satellite television networks, and satellite radionetworks. In addition, audio, video or other content may be broadcastacross Internet protocol and telephony networks. In any such networks,it may be desired to insert targeted assets such as advertisements intoa broadcast stream. Examples of broadcast networks used to deliverycontent to specific users include broadcast networks used to deliver ondemand content such as VOD and podcasts. The present invention providesa variety of functionality in this regard, as will be discussed indetail below.

For purposes of illustration, the invention is described in someinstances below in the context of a cable television networkimplementation. Some major components of a cable television network 100are depicted in FIG. 1. In the illustrated network 100, a headend 104obtains broadcast content from any of a number of sources 101-103.Additionally, broadcast content may be obtained from storage media 105such as a via a video server. The illustrated sources include an antenna101, for example, for receiving content via the airwaves, a satellitedish 102 for receiving content via satellite communications, and a fiberlink 103 for receiving content directly from studios or other contentsources. It will be appreciated that the illustrated sources 101-103 and105 are provided for purposes of illustration and other sources may beutilized.

The headend 104 processes the received content for transmission tonetwork users. Among other things, the headend 104 may be operative toamplify, convert and otherwise process the broadcast content signals aswell as to combine the signals into a common cable for transmission tonetwork users 107 (although graphically depicted as households, asdescribed below, the system of the present invention can be used inimplementations where individual users in a household are targeted). Italso is not necessary that the target audience be composed households orhousehold members in any sense. For example, the present invention canbe used to create on-the-fly customized presentations to students indistributed classrooms, e.g., thus providing examples which are morerelevant to each student or group of students within a presentationbeing broadcast to a wide range of students. The headend 104 alsoprocesses signals from users in a variety of contexts as describedbelow. The headend 104 may thus be thought of as the control center orlocal control center of the cable television network 100.

Typically, there is not a direct fiber link from the headend 104 to thecustomer premises equipment (CPE) 108. Rather, this connection generallyinvolves a system of feeder cables and drop cables that define a numberof system subsections or branches. This distribution network may includea number of nodes 109 or other platforms such as DSLAMs depending on thespecific network context and implementation. The signal may be processedat these nodes 109 to insert localized content, switch the locallyavailable channels or otherwise control the content delivered to usersin the node area. The resulting content within a node area is typicallydistributed by optical and/or coaxial links 106 to the premises ofparticular users 107. Finally, the broadcast signal is processed by theCPE 108, which may include a television, data terminal, a digital settop box, DVR or other terminal equipment. It will be appreciated thatdigital or analog signals may be involved in this regard.

In cable television or other broadcast networks, users employ thenetwork, and network operators derive revenue, based on delivery ofdesirable content or programming. The stakeholders in this regardinclude programming providers, asset providers such as advertisers (whomay be the same as or different than the programming providers), networkoperators such as Multiple Systems Operators (MSOs), and users—orviewers in the case of television networks. Programming providersinclude, for example: networks who provide series and other programming,including on a national or international basis; local affiliates whooften provide local or regional programming; studios who create andmarket content including movies, documentaries and the like; and avariety of other content owners or providers.

Asset providers include a wide variety of manufacturers, retailers,service providers and public interest groups interested in, andgenerally willing to pay for, the opportunity to deliver messages tousers on a local, regional, national or international level. Asdiscussed below, such assets include: conventional advertisements; tagcontent such as ad tags (which may include static graphic overlays,animated graphics files or even real-time video and audio) associatedwith the advertisements or other content; banners or other contentsuperimposed on or otherwise overlapping programming; product placement;and other advertising mechanisms. In addition, the networks may useinsertion spots for internal marketing as discussed above, and the spotsmay be used for public service announcements or other non-advertisingcontent.

Network operators are generally responsible for delivering content tousers and otherwise operating the networks as well as for contractingwith the networks and asset providers and billing. Users are the endconsumers of the content. Depending, for example, on the nature of thenetwork, users may employ a variety of types of equipment, includingtelevisions, set top boxes, iPOD™ devices, data terminals, satellitedelivered video or audio to an automobile, appliances (such asrefrigerators) with built-in televisions, etc. For convenience, customerpremises equipment (CPEs) or set top boxes (STBs) are referenced in manyof the specific examples below.

As described below, all of these stakeholders have an interest inimproved delivery of content including targeted asset delivery. Forexample, users can thereby be exposed to assets that are more likely ofinterest and can continue to have the costs of programming subsidized orwholly borne by asset providers. Asset providers can benefit from moreeffective asset delivery and greater return on their investment. Networkoperators and asset providers can benefit from increased value of thenetwork as an asset delivery mechanism and, thus, potentially enhancedrevenues. The present invention addresses all of these interests.

It will be noted that it is sometimes unclear that the interests of allof these stakeholders are aligned. For example, it may not be obvious toall users that they benefit by consuming such assets. Indeed, some usersmay be willing to avoid consuming such assets even with an understandingof the associated costs. Network operators and asset providers may alsodisagree as to how programming should best be distributed, how assetdelivery may be associated with the programming, and how revenues shouldbe shared. As described below, the present invention provides amechanism for accommodating potentially conflicting interests or forenhancing overall value such that the interests of all stakeholders canbe advanced.

Assets can be provided via a variety of distribution modes includingreal-time broadcast distribution, forward-and-store, and on-demanddelivery such as VOD. Real-time broadcast delivery involves synchronousdelivery of assets to multiple users such as the conventional paradigmfor broadcast radio or television (e.g., airwave, cable or satellite).The forward-and-store mode involves delivery of assets ahead of time toCPEs with storage resources, e.g., a DVR or DSTB with adequate storage,or data terminal. The asset is stored for later display, for example, asprompted by the user or controlled according to logic resident at theCPE and/or elsewhere in the communications network. The on-demand modeinvolves individualized delivery of assets from the network to a user,often on a pay-per-view basis. The present invention can be utilized inconnection with any of these distribution modes or others. In thisregard, important features of the present invention can be implementedusing conventional CPEs without requiring substantial storage resourcesto enhance even real-time broadcast programming, for analog and digitalusers.

The amount of programming that can be delivered to users is limited bythe available programming space. This, in turn, is a function ofbandwidth. Thus, for example, cable television networks, satellitetelevision networks, satellite radio networks, and other networks havecertain bandwidth limitations. In certain broadcast networks, theavailable bandwidth may be divided into bandwidth portions that are usedto transmit the programming for individual channels or stations. Inaddition, a portion of the available bandwidth may be utilized forbi-directional messaging, metadata transmissions and other networkoverhead. Alternately, such bi-directional communication may beaccommodated by any appropriate communications channels, including theuse of one or more separate communications networks. The noted bandwidthportions may be defined by dedicated segments, e.g., defined byfrequency ranges, or may be dynamically configured, for example, in thecase of packetized data networks. As will be described below, in oneimplementation, the present invention uses available (dedicated oropportunistically available) bandwidth for substantially real timetransmission of assets, e.g., for targeted asset delivery with respectto a defined asset delivery spot. In this implementation, bi-directionalcommunications may be accommodated by dedicated messaging bandwidth andby encoding messages within bandwidth used for asset delivery. A DOCSISpath or certain TELCO solutions using switched IP may be utilized forbi-directional communications between the headend and CPEs and assetdelivery to the CPEs, including real-time asset delivery, in the systemsdescribed below.

It will be appreciated that bandwidth usage may be dynamicallydetermined on a geographically dependent (or network subdivisiondependent) basis. An example of this is networks, such as switcheddigital networks, including node switches as illustrated in FIG. 2. Theillustrated network 200 includes a number of nodes 206 associated with aheadend 202 via a high bandwidth link 204. The content streamtransmitted from the headend 202 via the link 204 may include a largeamount of content, for example, hundreds of video channels. Content isdelivered from the various nodes 206 to individual CPEs 210 via locallinks 207-209 which may have a more limited bandwidth. For example,these local links 207-209 may include fiber optic and coaxial cablesegments. As shown, communications between the headend 202 and CPEs 210are bi-directional. Due to bandwidth considerations, each of the nodes206 may include a node switch operative to transmit only a subset of thecontent from link 204 to the local links 207-209. In order to optimizeuse of the limited bandwidth, the subset may be different for each ofthe nodes 206. For example, a given channel may be transmitted via anyone of the local links 207, 208 or 209 only upon request by a CPE 210 onthat link. Thus, in the illustrated example, local link 207 transmitsvideo channels 1, 2, 3, 26 and 181; local link 208 transmits videochannels 1, 5, 6, 8, 12 and 20; and local link 209 transmits videochannels 1, 3, 4, 5, 17 and 26.

Such node switches thereby provide a mechanism for optimizing the use ofavailable bandwidth relative to the desires of users. However, such nodeswitches may complicate the delivery of assets or affect the perceptionof network reach and thus impact the valuation of asset delivery in thecontext of the conventional asset delivery paradigm. That is, in somecases, a given network may not be immediately available to a user in aspecific node area such that the user, in fact, cannot be reached for agiven asset delivery spot. Perhaps as importantly, the fact that areduced number of networks are passed to users in specific node areasmay impact that perception of network reach and asset delivery value.Node switches also complicate tracking of targeted asset delivery giventhe dynamic nature of the network. As discussed below, the presentinvention allows for enhanced asset delivery even in networksimplementing node switches. Indeed, the present invention takesadvantage of node switches to identify available bandwidth for deliveryof asset options.

B. Scheduling

What programming is available on particular channels or other bandwidthsegments at particular times is determined by scheduling. Thus, in thecontext of a broadcast television network, individual programmingnetworks, associated with particular programming channels, willGenerally develop a programming schedule well into the future, e.g.,weeks or months in advance. This programming schedule is generallypublished to users so that users can find programs of interest. Inaddition, this programming schedule is used by asset providers to selectdesired asset delivery spots.

Asset delivery is also scheduled. That is, breaks are typically builtinto or otherwise provided in programming content. In the case ofrecorded content, the breaks are pre-defined. Even in the case of livebroadcasts, breaks are built-in. Thus, the number and duration of breaksis typically known in advance, though the exact timing of the spots mayvary to some extent. However, this is not always the case. For example,if sporting events go into overtime, the number, duration and timing ofbreaks may vary dynamically. As discussed below, the system of thepresent invention can handle real-time delivery of assets for updatedbreaks.

In connection with regularly scheduled breaks, as discussed below,defined avail windows establish the time period during which certainbreaks or spots occur, and a cue tone or cue message signals thebeginning of such breaks or spots. In practice, an avail window may beas long as or longer than a program and include all associated breaks.Indeed, avail windows may be several hours long, for example, in caseswhere audience demographics are not expected to change significantlyover large programming blocks. In this regard, an MSO may merge multipleavail windows provided by programming networks.

More specifically, a break may include a series of asset delivery spotsand the content of a break may be determined by a number of entities.For example, some asset delivery is distributed on a basis coextensivewith network programming, e.g., on a national basis. This asset deliveryis conventionally scheduled based on a timed playlist. That is, theinsertion of content is centrally controlled to insert assets at definedtimes. Accordingly, the programming and national asset delivery may beprovided by the programming networks as a continuous content streamwithout cues for asset insertion. For example, prime-time programming onthe major networks is often principally provided in this fashion.

In other cases, individual spots within a break are allocated forRegional Operations Center (ROC), affiliate, super headend or local(headend, zone) content. In these cases, a cue tone or messageidentifies the start of the asset delivery spot or spots (a series ofassets in a break may all trigger from one cue). The cue generallyoccurs a few seconds before the start of the asset delivery insertionopportunity and may occur, for example, during programming or during thebreak (e.g., during a national ad). The system of the present inventioncan be implemented at any or all levels of this hierarchy to allow fortargeting with respect to national, regional and local assets. In thecase of regional or local targeted asset delivery, synchronous assetoptions (as discussed below) may be inserted into designated bandwidthin response to cues. In the case of national asset delivery, networksignaling may be extended to provide signals identifying the start of anational spot or spots, so as to enable the inventive system to insertsynchronous national asset options into designated bandwidth. Forexample, such signaling may be encrypted for use only by the inventivetargeted asset system.

Network operators or local network affiliates can generally schedule thenon-national assets to be included within defined breaks or spots foreach ad-supported channel. Conventionally, this scheduling is finalizedahead of time, typically on a daily or longer basis. The scheduledassets for a given break are then typically inserted at the headend inresponse to the cue tone or message in the programming stream. Thus, forexample, where a given avail window includes three breaks (each of whichmay include a series of spots), the scheduled asset(s) for the firstbreak is inserted in response to the first cue, the scheduled asset(s)for the second break is inserted in response to the second cue, and thescheduled asset(s) for the third break is inserted in response to thethird cue. If a cue is missed, all subsequent assets within an availwindow may be thrown off.

It will be appreciated that such static, daily scheduling can beproblematic. For example, the programming schedule can often change dueto breaking news, ripple effects from schedule over-runs earlier in theday or the nature of the programming. For example, certain live eventssuch as sporting events are difficult to precisely schedule. In suchcases, static asset delivery schedules can result in a mismatch ofscheduled asset to the associated programming. For example, when a highvalue programming event such as a certain sporting event runs over theexpected program length, it may sometimes occur that assets intended foranother program or valued for a smaller audience may be shown when ahigher value or better-tailored asset could have been used if a moredynamic scheduling regime were available. The present invention allowsfor such dynamic scheduling as will be discussed in more detail below.The invention can also accommodate evolving standards in the field ofdynamic scheduling.

C. The Conventional Asset Delivery Paradigm

Conventional broadcast networks may include asset-supported and premiumcontent channels/networks. As noted above, programming content generallycomes at a substantial cost. That is, the programming providers expectto be compensated for the programming that they provide which hasgenerally been developed or acquired at significant cost. Thatcompensation may be generated by asset delivery revenues, by fees paidby users for premium channels, or some combination of the two. In somecases, funding may come from another source such as public funding.

In the case of asset-supported networks, the conventional paradigminvolves time-slot buys. Specifically, asset providers generallyidentify a particular program or time-slot on a particular network wherethey desire their assets to be aired. The cost for the airing of theasset depends on a number of factors, but one primary factor is the sizeof the audience for the programming in connection with which the assetis aired. Thus, the standard pricing model is based on the cost perthousand viewers (CPM), though other factors such as demographics oraudience composition are involved as discussed below. The size of theaudience is generally determined based on ratings. The most commonbenchmark for establishing these ratings is the system of Nielsen MediaResearch Corporation (Nielsen). One technique used by Nielsen involvesmonitoring the viewing habits of a presumably statistically relevantsampling of the universe of users. Based on an analysis of the samplegroup, the Nielsen system can estimate what portion of the audienceparticular programs received and, from this, an estimated audience sizefor the program can be projected. Thus, the historical performance ofthe particular program, for example, as estimated by the Nielsen system,may be used to set asset delivery prices for future breaks associatedwith that program.

In practice, this results in a small number of programming networksbeing responsible for generating a large portion of the overall assetrevenues. This is graphically depicted in FIG. 4, which generallyillustrates this phenomenon, although it is not based on actual numbers.As shown in FIG. 4, it is often the case that three or four programmingnetworks out of many available programming networks garner very largeshares whereas the remaining programming networks have small ornegligible share. Indeed, in some cases, many programming networks willhave a share that is so small that it is difficult to statisticallycharacterize based on typical Nielsen sampling group sizes. In thesecases, substantial asset revenues may be generated in connection withthe small number of programming networks having a significant sharewhile very little revenue is generated with respect to the otherprogramming networks. This is true even though the other programmingnetworks, in the aggregate, may have a significant number of users inabsolute terms. Thus, the conventional paradigm often fails to generaterevenues commensurate with the size of the total viewing audienceserviced by the network operator. As discussed below, this is a missedrevenue opportunity that can be addressed in accordance with the presentinvention.

As noted above, the pricing for asset delivery depends on the size ofthe viewing audience and certain other factors. One of those factorsrelates to the demographics of interest to the asset provider. In thisregard, a given program will generally have a number of differentratings for different demographic categories. That is, the programgenerally has not only a household rating, which is measured against theuniverse of all households with televisions, but also a rating fordifferent demographic categories (e.g., males 18-24), measured againstthe universe of all members of the category who have televisions. Thus,the program may have a rating of 1 (1%) overall and a rating of 2 (2%)for a particular category. Typically, when asset providers buy atime-slot, pricing is based on a rating or ratings for the categories ofinterest to the asset provider. This results in significantinefficiencies due to poor matching of the audience to the desireddemographics.

Conventionally, asset insertion is accomplished at the headend. This isillustrated in FIG. 3. In the illustrated system 300, the headend 302includes a program feed 304 and an asset source 306. As noted above, theprogram feed 304 may be associated with a variety of programming sourcessuch as video storage, an antenna, satellite dish or fiber feed from astudio or the like. The asset source 306 may include a tape library orother storage system for storing pre-recorded assets. A platformassociated with the headend 302—in this case, denoted a selector308—inserts programming from the program feed 304 and assets from theasset source 306 into the video stream of an individual channel 310.This is done for each channel to define the overall content 312 that isdistributed to subscribers (or at least to a node switch). Typically,although not necessarily, the selector 308 effectively toggles betweenthe program feed 304 and the asset source 306 such that the programmingand assets are inserted in alternating, non-time overlapping fashion.Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, a particular channel may include a timesegment 314 of programming followed by a cue tone 316 (which may occur,for example, during a programming segment, or during a time period of anasset provided with the programming stream, just prior to an insertionopportunity) to identify the initiation of a break 3118. In response tothe tone, the selector 308 is operative to insert assets into theprogramming stream for that channel. At the conclusion of the break 318,the selector 308 returns to the program feed to insert a furtherprogramming segment 314. An example of a timeline in this regard isshown in FIG. 15.

This content 312 or a filtered portion thereof is delivered to CPEs 322.In the illustrated embodiment the CPE 322 is depicted as including asignal processing component 324 and a television set 326. It will beappreciated that these components 324 and 326 may be embodied in asingle device and the nature of the functionality may vary. In the caseof a digital cable user, the signal processing component 324 may beincorporated into a set top box (STB) for decoding digital signals. Suchboxes are typically capable of bi-directional messaging with the headend302 which will be a significant consideration in relation tofunctionality described below.

II. SYSTEM OVERVIEW A. The Targeted Asset Delivery Environment

Against this backdrop described in the context of the conventional assetdelivery paradigm, a system embodying the present invention is describedbelow. The inventive system, in the embodiments described below, allowsfor delivery of targeted assets such as advertising so as to addresscertain shortcomings or inefficiencies of conventional broadcastnetworks. Generally, such targeting entails delivering assets to desiredgroups of individuals or individuals having desired characteristics.These characteristics or audience classification parameters may bedefined based on personal information, demographic information,psychographic information, geographic information, or any otherinformation that may be relevant to an asset provider in identifying atarget audience. Preferably, such targeting is program independent inrecognition that programming is a highly imperfect mechanism fortargeting of assets. For example, even if user analysis indicates that aparticular program has an audience comprised sixty percent of women, andwomen comprise the target audience for a particular asset, airing onthat program will result in a forty percent mismatch. That is, fortypercent of the users potentially reached may not be of interest to theasset provider and pricing may be based only on sixty percent of thetotal audience. Moreover, ideally, targeted asset delivery would allowfor targeting with a range of granularities including very finegranularities. For example, it may be desired to target a group, such asbased on a geographical grouping, a household characterization or evenan individual user characterization. The present invention accommodatesprogram independent targeting, targeting with a high degree ofgranularity and targeting based on a variety of different audienceclassifications.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate two different contexts of targeted assetdelivery supported in accordance with the present invention.Specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates the delivery of different assets, inthis case ads, to different users watching the same programming channel,which may be referred to as spot optimization. As shown, three differentusers 500-502 are depicted as watching the same programming, in thiscase, denoted “Movie of the Week.” At a given break 504 the users500-502 each receive a different asset package. Specifically, user 500receives a digital music player ad and a movie promo, user 501 receivesa luxury car ad and a health insurance ad, and user 502 receives aminivan ad and a department store ad. Alternately, a single assetprovider (e.g., a motor vehicle company) may purchase a spot and thenprovide different asset options for the spot (e.g., sports car,minivans, pickup trucks, etc.). Similarly, separate advertisers maycollectively purchase a spot and then provide ads for their respectiveproducts (e.g., where the target audiences of the advertisers arecomplementary). It will be appreciated that these different assetpackages may be targeted to different audience demographics. In thismanner, assets are better tailored to particular viewers of a givenprogram who may fall into different demographic groups. Thus, spotoptimization refers to the delivery of different assets (by one ormultiple asset providers) in a given spot.

FIG. 6 illustrates a different context of the present invention, whichmay be termed audience aggregation. In this case, three different users600-602 viewing different programs associated with different channelsmay receive the same asset or asset package. In this case, each of theusers 600-602 receives a package including a digital music player ad anda movie promo in connection with breaks associated with their respectivechannels. Though the users 600-602 are shown as receiving the same assetpackage for purposes of illustration, it is likely that different userswill receive different combinations of assets due to differences inclassification parameters. In this manner, users over multiple channels(some or all users of each channel) can be aggregated (relative to agiven asset and time window) to define an aggregated audience havingsignificant user numbers matching a targeted audience classification.Among other things, such audience aggregation allows for the possibilityof aggregating users over a number of low share channels to define asignificant asset delivery opportunity, perhaps on the order of thatassociated with one of the high share networks. This can beaccomplished, in accordance with the present invention, using existingequipment (i.e., an existing CPE). Such an aggregated audience isgraphically illustrated in FIG. 7, though this illustration is not basedon actual numbers. Thus, audience aggregation refers to the delivery ofthe same asset in different spots to define an aggregated audience.These different spots may occur within a time window corresponding tooverlapping (conflicting) programs on different channels. In thismanner, it is likely that these spots, even if at different times withinthe window, will not be received by the same users.

Such targeting including both spot optimization and audience aggregationcan be implemented using a variety of architectures in accordance withthe present invention. Thus, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 8,targeted asset insertion can be implemented at the CPEs. This mayinvolve a forward-and-store functionality. As illustrated in FIG. 8, theCPE 800 receives a programming stream 802 and an asset delivery stream804 from the headend 808. These streams 802 and 804 may be provided viaa common signal link such as a coaxial cable or via separatecommunications links. For example, the asset delivery stream 804 may betransmitted to the CPE 800 via a designated segment, e.g., a dedicatedfrequency range, of the available bandwidth or via a programming channelthat is opportunistically available for asset delivery, e.g., when it isotherwise off air. The asset delivery stream 804 may be provided on acontinuous or intermittent basis and may be provided concurrently withthe programming stream 802. In the illustrated example, the programmingstream 802 is processed by a program decoding unit, such as an STB, andprogramming is displayed on television set 814. Alternatively, theprogramming stream 802 may be stored in programming storage 815 for CPEinsertion.

In the illustrated implementation, the asset, together with metadataidentifying, for example, any audience classification parameters of thetargeted audience, is stored in a designated storage space 806 of theCPE 800. It will be appreciated that adequate storage at the CPE 800 isrequired in this regard. For example, such storage may be available inconnection with certain digital video recorder (DVR) units or via otherstorage. A selector 810 is implemented as a processor running logic onthe CPE 800. The selector 810 functions analogously to the headendselector described above to identify breaks 816 and insert appropriateassets. In this case, the assets may be selected based on classificationparameters of the household or, more preferably, a user within thehousehold. Such information may be stored at the CPE 800 or may bedetermined based on an analysis of viewing habits such as a click streamfrom a remote control as will be described in more detail below. Certainaspects of the present invention can be implemented in such a CPEinsertion environment.

In FIG. 9, a different architecture is employed. Specifically, in FIG.9, asset options are transmitted from headend 910 synchronously with agiven break on a given channel for which targeted asset options aresupported. The CPE 900 includes a channel selector 902, which isoperative to switch to an asset channel associated with a desired assetat the beginning of a break and to return to the programming channel atthe end of the break. The channel selector 902 may hop between channels(between asset channels or between an asset channel and the programmingchannel) during a break to select the most appropriate assets. In thisregard, logic resident on the CPE 900 controls such hopping to avoidswitching to a channel where an asset is already in progress. Asdescribed below, this logic can be readily implemented, as the scheduleof assets on each asset channel is known. Preferably, all of this isimplemented invisibly from the perspective of the user of set 904. Thedifferent options may be provided, at least in part, in connection withasset channels 906 or other bandwidth segments (separate fromprogramming channels 908) dedicated for use in providing such options.In addition, certain asset options may be inserted into the currentprogramming channel 908. Associated functionality is described in detailbelow. The architecture of FIG. 9 has the advantage of not requiringsubstantial storage resources at the CPE 900 such that it can beimmediately implemented on a wide scale basis using equipment that isalready in the field.

As a further alternative, the determination of which asset to show maybe made at the headend. For example, an asset may be selected based onvoting as described below, and inserted at the headend into theprogramming channel without options on other asset channels. This wouldachieve a degree of targeting but without spot optimizationopportunities as described above. Still further, options may be providedon other asset channels, but the selection as between those channels maybe determined by the headend. For example, information about a householdor user (e.g., brand of car owned, magazines subscribed to, etc.) storedon the headend or otherwise accessible from the headend (e.g., a thirdparty database including detailed demographic/purchasing information)may be used to match an asset to a household or user. That information,which may be termed “marketing labels,” may be used by the headend tocontrol which asset is selected by the CPE. For example, the CPE may beinstructed that it is associated with an “ACME preferred” customer. Whenan asset is disseminated with ACME preferred metadata, the CPE may becaused to select that asset (at least if that user is currentlypresent), thereby overriding (or significantly factoring with) any otheraudience classification considerations. However, it will be appreciatedthat such operation may entail certain concerns relating to sensitiveinformation or may compromise audience classification based targeting inother respects.

A significant opportunity thus exists to better target users whom assetproviders may be willing to pay to reach and to better reachhard-to-reach users. However, a number of challenges remain with respectto achieving these objectives including: how to provide asset optionswithin network bandwidth limitations and without requiring substantialstorage requirements and new equipment at the user's premises; how toobtain sufficient information for effective targeting while addressingprivacy concerns; how to address a variety of business related issues,such as pricing of asset delivery, resulting from availability of assetoptions and attendant contingent delivery; and how to operateeffectively within the context of existing network structure and systems(e.g., across node switches, using existing traffic and billing systems,etc.).

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that various aspects of theinvention are applicable in the context of a variety of networks,including broadcast networks. In the following discussion, specificimplementations of a targeted asset system are discussed in the contextof a cable television network. Though the system enhances viewing forboth analog and digital users, certain functionality is convenientlyimplemented using existing STBs. It will be appreciated that, whilethese represent particularly advantageous and commercially valuableimplementations, the invention is not limited to these specificimplementations or network contexts.

B. System Architecture

In one implementation, the system of the present invention involves thetransmission of asset options in time alignment or synchronization withother assets on a programming channel, where the asset options are atleast partially provided via separate bandwidth segments, e.g. channelsat least temporarily dedicated to targeted asset delivery. Although suchoptions may typically be transmitted in alignment with a break inprogramming, it may be desired to provide options opposite continuingprogramming (e.g., so that only subscribers in a specified geographicarea get a weather announcement, an emergency announcement, electionresults or other local information while others get uninterruptedprogramming). Selection as between the available options is implementedat the user's premises, as by an STB in this implementation. In thismanner, asset options are made available for better targeting, withoutthe requirement for substantial storage resources or equipment upgradesat the user's premises (e.g., as might be required for aforward-and-store architecture). Indeed, existing STBs can be configuredto execute logic for implementing the system described below bydownloading and/or preloading appropriate logic.

Because asset options are synchronously transmitted in thisimplementation, it is desirable to be efficient in identifying availablebandwidth and in using that bandwidth. Various functionality forimproved bandwidth identification, e.g., identifying bandwidth that isopportunistically available in relation to a node switch, is describedlater in this discussion. Efficient use of available bandwidth involvesboth optimizing the duty cycle or asset density of an availablebandwidth segment (i.e., how much time, of the time a bandwidth segmentis available for use in transmitting asset options, is the segmentactually used for transmitting options) and the value of the optionstransmitted. The former factor is addressed, among other things, byimproved scheduling of targeted asset delivery on the asset channels inrelation to scheduled breaks of the programming channels.

The latter factor is addressed in part by populating the availablebandwidth spots with assets that are most desired based on currentnetwork conditions. These most desired assets can be determined in avariety of ways including based on conventional ratings. In the specificimplementation described below, the most desired assets are determinedvia a process herein termed voting. FIG. 10 illustrates an associatedmessaging sequence 1000 in this regard as between a CPE 1002 such as anSTB, a network platform for asset insertion such as a headend 1004 and atraffic and billing (T&B) system 1006 used in the illustrated examplefor obtaining asset delivery orders or contracts and billing for assetdelivery. It will be appreciated that the functionality of the T&Bsystem 1006 may be split between multiple systems running on multipleplatforms and the T&B system 1006 may be operated by the networkoperator or may be separately operated.

The illustrated sequence begins by loading contract information 1008from the T&B system 1006 onto the headend 1004. An interface associatedwith system 1006 allows asset providers to execute contracts fordissemination of assets based on traditional time-slot buys (for a givenprogram or given time on a given network) or based on a certain audienceclassification information (e.g., desired demographics, psychographics,geography, and/or audience size). In the latter case, the asset provideror network may identify audience classification information associatedwith a target audience. The system 1006 uses this information to compilethe contract information 1008, which identifies the asset that is to bedelivered together with delivery parameters regarding when and to whom,the asset is to be delivered.

The illustrated headend 1004 uses the contract information 1008 togetherwith a schedule of breaks for individual networks to compile an assetoption list 1010 on a channel-by-channel and break-by-break basis. Thatis, the list 1010 lists the universe of asset options that are availablefor voting purposes for a given break on a given programming channeltogether with associated metadata identifying the target audience forthe asset, e.g., based on audience classification information. Thetransmitted list 1010 may encompass all supported programming channelsand may be transmitted to all participating users, or the list may belimited to one or a subset of the supported channels e.g., based on aninput indicating the current channel or the most likely or frequentchannels used by a particular user or group of users. The list 1010 istransmitted from the headend 1004 to the CPE 1002 in advance of a breakfor which options are listed.

Based on the list 1010, the CPE 1002 submits a vote 1012 back to theheadend 1004. More specifically, the CPE 1002 first identifies theclassification parameters for the current user(s) and perhaps thecurrent channel being watched, identifies the assets that are availablefor an upcoming break (for the current channel or multiple channels) aswell as the target audience for those assets and determines a “fit” ofone or more of those asset options to the current classification. In oneimplementation, each of the assets is attributed a fit score for theuser(s), e.g., based on a comparison of the audience classificationparameters of the asset to the putative audience classificationparameters of the current user(s). This may involve how well anindividual user classification parameter matches a corresponding targetaudience parameter and/or how many of the target audience parameters arematched by the user's classification parameters. Based on these fitscores, the CPE 102 issues the vote 1012 indicating the most appropriateasset(s).

Any suitable information can be used to provide this indication. Forexample, all scores for all available asset options (for the currentchannel or multiple channels) may be included in the vote 1012.Alternatively, the vote 1012 may identify a subset of one or moreoptions selected or deselected by the CPE 1002, with or without scoringinformation indicating a degree of the match and may further includechannel information. In one implementation, the headend 1004 instructsCPEs (1002) to return fit scores for the top n asset options for a givenspot, where n is dynamically configurable based on any relevant factorsuch as network traffic levels and size of the audience. Preferably,this voting occurs shortly before the break at issue such that thevoting more accurately reflects the current status of network users. Inone implementation, votes are only submitted for the programming channelto which the CPE is set, and votes are submitted periodically, e.g.,every fifteen minutes.

The headend 1004 compiles votes 1012 from CPEs 1002 to determine a setof selected asset options 1014 for a given break on a supportedprogramming channel. As will be understood from the description below,such votes 1012 may be obtained from all relevant and participating CPEs1002 (who may be representative of a larger audience including analog orotherwise nonparticipating users) or a statistical sampling thereof. Inaddition, the headend 1004 determines the amount of bandwidth, e.g., thenumber of dedicated asset option channels, that are available fortransmission of options in support of a given break for a givenprogramming channel.

Based on all of this information, the headend 1004 assembles a flotillaof assets, e.g., the asset options having the highest vote values or thehighest weighted vote values where such weighting takes into accountvalue per user or other information beyond classification fit. Such aflotilla may include asset options inserted on the current programmingchannel as well as on asset channels, though different insertionprocesses and components may be involved for programming channel andasset channel insertion. It will be appreciated that some assets may beassembled independently or largely independently of voting, for example,certain public service spots or where a certain provider has paid apremium for guaranteed delivery. Also, in spot optimization contextswhere a single asset provider buys a spot and then provides multipleasset options for that spot, voting may be unnecessary (though votingmay still be used to select the options).

In one implementation, the flotilla is assembled into sets of assetoptions for each dedicated asset channel, where the time length of eachset matches the length of the break, such that channel hopping within abreak is unnecessary. Alternatively, the CPE 1002 may navigate betweenthe asset channels to access desired assets within a break (providedthat asset starts on the relevant asset channels are synchronized).However, it will be appreciated that the flotilla matrix (where columnsinclude options for a given spot and rows correspond to channels) neednot be rectangular. Stated differently, some channels may be used toprovide asset options for only a portion of the break, i.e. may be usedat the start of the break for one or more spots but are not availablefor the entire break, or may only be used after one or more spots of abreak have aired. A list of the selected assets 1014 and the associatedasset channels is then transmitted together with metadata identifyingthe target audience in the illustrated implementation. It will beappreciated that it may be unnecessary to include the metadata at thisstep if the CPE 1002 has retained the asset option list 1010. This list1014 (which includes sets of asset options for each dedicated contactoptions channel used to support, at least in part, the break at issue)is preferably transmitted shortly in advance of transmission of theasset 1016.

The CPE 1002 receives the list of selected asset options 1014 andassociated metadata and selects which of the available options todeliver to the user(s). For example, this may involve a comparison ofthe current audience classification parameter values (which may or maynot be the same as those used for purposes of voting) to the metadataassociated with each of the asset options. The selected asset option isused to selectively switch the CPE 1002 to the corresponding dedicatedasset channel to display the selected asset 1016 at the beginning of thebreak at issue. One of the asset option sets, for example, the onecomprised of the assets receiving the highest number or value of votes,may be inserted into the programming channel so that switching is notrequired for many users. Assuming that the voting CPEs are at leastsomewhat representative of the universe of all users, a significantdegree of targeting is thereby achieved even for analog or otherwisenon-participating users. In this regard, the voters serve as proxies fornon-voting users. The CPE 1002 returns to the programming channel at theconclusion of the break.

Preferably, all of this is transparent from the perspective of theuser(s), i.e., preferably no user input is required. The system may bedesigned so that any user input overrides the targeting system. Forexample, if the user changes channels during a break, the change will beimplemented as if the targeting system was not in effect (e.g., acommand to advance to the next channel will set the CPE to the channelimmediately above the current programming channel, without regard to anyoptions currently available for that channel, regardless of thededicated asset channel that is currently sourcing the televisionoutput).

In this system architecture, as in forward-and-store architectures orany other option where selections between asset options are implementedat the CPE, there will be some uncertainty as to how many users orhouseholds received any particular asset option in the absence ofreporting. This may be tolerable from a business perspective. In theabsence of reporting, the audience size may be estimated based on votingdata, conventional ratings analysis and other tools. Indeed, in theconventional asset delivery paradigm, asset providers accept Nielsenrating estimates and demographic information together with marketanalysis to gauge return on investment. However, this uncertainty isless than optimal in any asset delivery environment and may beparticularly problematic in the context of audience aggregation acrossmultiple programming networks, potentially including programmingnetworks that are difficult to measure by conventional means.

The system of the present invention preferably implements a reportingsystem by which individual CPEs 1002 report back to the headend 1004what asset or assets were delivered at the CPE 1002 and, optionally, towhom (in terms of audience classification). Additionally, the reportsmay indicate where (on what programming channel) the asset was deliveredand how much (if any) of the asset was consumed. Such reports 1018 maybe provided by all participating CPEs 1002 or by a statistical samplingthereof. These reports 1018 may be generated on a break-by-break basis,periodically (e.g., every 15 minutes) or may be aggregated prior totransmission to the headend 1004. Reports may be transmitted soon afterdelivery of the assets at issue or may be accumulated, e.g., fortransmission at a time of day where messaging bandwidth is moreavailable. Moreover, such reporting may be coordinated as between theCPEs 1002 so as to spread the messaging load due to reporting.

In any case, the reports 1018 can be used to provide billing information1020 to the T&B system 1006 for valuing the delivery of the variousasset options. For example, the billing information 1020 can be used bythe T&B system 1006 to determine how large an audience received eachoption and how well that audience matched the target audience. Forexample, as noted above, a fit score may be generated for particularasset options based on a comparison of the audience classification tothe target audience. This score may be on any scale, e.g., 1-100.Goodness of fit may be determined based on this raw score or based oncharacterization of this score such as “excellent,” “good,” etc. Again,this may depend on how well an individual audience classificationparameter of a user matches a corresponding target audience parameterand/or how many of the target audience parameters are matched by theuser's audience classification parameters. This information may in turnbe provided to the asset provider, at least in an aggregated form. Inthis manner, the network operator can bill based on guaranteed deliveryof targeted messages or scale the billing rate (or increase delivery)based on goodness of fit as well as audience size. The reports (and/orvotes) 1018 can also provide a quick and detailed measurement of userdistribution over the network that can be used to accurately gaugeratings, share, demographics of audiences and the like. Moreover, thisinformation can be used to provide future audience estimationinformation 1022, for example, to estimate the total target universebased on audience classification parameters.

It will thus be appreciated that the present invention allows a networkoperator such as an MSO to sell asset delivery under the conventionalasset delivery (time-slot) buy paradigm or under the new commercialimpression paradigm or both. For example, a particular MSO may choose tosell asset delivery space for the major networks (or for these networksduring prime time) under the old time-slot buy paradigm while using thecommercial impression paradigm to aggregate users over multiple lowmarket share networks. Another MSO may choose to retain the basictime-slot buy paradigm while accommodating asset providers who may wishto fill a given slot with multiple options targeted to differentdemographics. Another MSO may choose to retain the basic time-slot buyparadigm during prime time across all networks while using the targetedimpression paradigm to aggregate users at other times of the day. Thetargeted impression paradigm may be used by such MSOs only for thislimited purpose.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an associated process 1200. Anasset provider (or agent thereof) can initiate the illustrated process1200 by accessing (1202) a contracting platform as will be describedbelow. Alternatively, an asset provider can work with the salesdepartment or other personnel of a system operator or other party whoaccesses such a platform. As a still further alternative, an automatedbuying system may be employed to interface with such a platform via asystem-to-system interface. This platform may provide a graphical userinterface by which an asset provider can design a dissemination strategyand enter into a corresponding contract for dissemination of an asset.The asset provider can then use the interface to select (1204) toexecute either a time-slot buy strategy or a targeted impression buystrategy. In the case of a time-slot buy strategy, the asset providercan then use the user interface to specify (1206) a network andtime-slot or other program parameter identifying the desired air timesand frequency for delivery of the asset. Thus, for example, an assetprovider may elect to air the asset in connection with specificallyidentified programs believed to have an appropriate audience. Inaddition, the asset provider may specify that the asset is to appearduring the first break or during multiple breaks during the program. Theasset provider may further specify that the asset is to be, for example,aired during the first spot within the break, the last spot within thebreak or otherwise designate the specific asset delivery slot.

Once the time-slots for the asset have thus been specified, the MSOcauses the asset to be embedded (1208) into the specified programmingchannel asset stream. The asset is then available to be consumed by allusers of the programming channel. The MSO then bills (1210) the assetprovider, typically based on associated ratings information. Forexample, the billing rate may be established in advance based onprevious rating information for the program in question, or the bestavailable ratings information for the particular airing of the programmay be used to bill the asset provider. It will thus be appreciated thatthe conventional time-slot buy paradigm is limited to delivery to allusers for a particular time-slot on a particular network and does notallow for targeting of particular users of a given network or targetingusers distributed over multiple networks in a single buy.

In the case of targeted impression buys, the asset provider can use theuser interface as described in more detail below to specify (1212)audience classification and other dissemination parameters. In the caseof audience classification parameters, the asset provider may specifythe gender, age range, income range, geographical location, lifestyleinterest or other information of a targeted audience. The additionaldissemination parameters may relate to delivery time, frequency,audience size, or any other information useful to define a targetaudience. Combinations of parameters may also be specified. For example,an asset provider may specify an audience size of 100,000 in aparticular demographic group and further specify that the asset is notdelivered to any user who has already received the asset a predeterminednumber of times.

Based on this information, the targeted asset system of the presentinvention is operative to target appropriate users. For example, thismay involve targeting only selected users of a major network.Additionally or alternatively, this may involve aggregating (1214) usersacross multiple networks to satisfy the audience specifications. Forexample, selected users from multiple programming channels may receivethe asset within a designated time period in order to provide anaudience of the desired size, where the audience is composed of usersmatching the desired audience classification. The user interfacepreferably estimates the target universe based on the audienceclassification and dissemination parameters such that the asset providerreceives an indication of the likely audience size.

The aggregation system may also be used to do time of day buys. Forexample, an asset provider could specify audience classificationparameters for a target audience and further specify a time and channelfor airing of the asset. CPEs tuned to that channel can then select theasset based on the voting process as described herein. Also, assetproviders may designate audience classification parameters and a runtime or time range, but not the programming channel. In this manner,significant flexibility is enabled for designing a disseminationstrategy. It is also possible for a network operator to disable some ofthese strategy options, e.g., for business reasons.

Based on this input information, the targeted asset system of thepresent invention is operative to provide the asset as an option duringone or more time-slots of one or more breaks. In the case of spotoptimization, multiple asset options may be disseminated together withinformation identifying the target audience so that the most appropriateasset can be delivered at individual CPEs. In the case of audienceaggregation, the asset may be provided as an option in connection withmultiple breaks on multiple programming channels. The system thenreceives and processes (1218) reports regarding actual delivery of theasset by CPEs and information indicating how well the actual audiencefit the classification parameters of the target audience. The assetprovider can then be billed (1220) based on guaranteed delivery andgoodness of fit based on actual report information. It will thus beappreciated that a new asset delivery paradigm is defined by whichassets are targeted to specific users rather than being associated withparticular programs. This enables both better targeting of individualusers for a given program and improved reach to target users onlow-share networks.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various steps in themessaging sequence are directed to matching assets to users based onclassification parameters, allowing for goodness of fit determinationsbased on such matching or otherwise depending on communicating audienceclassification information across the network. It is preferable toimplement such messaging in a manner that is respectful of user privacyconcerns and relevant regulatory regimes.

In the illustrated system, this is addressed by implementing the systemfree from persistent storage of a user profile or other sensitiveinformation including, for example, personally identifiable information(PII). Specifically, it may be desired to protect as sensitiveinformation subject matter extending beyond the established definitionof PII. As one example in this regard, it may be desired to protect MACaddresses even though such addresses are not presently considered to beincluded within the definition of PII in the United States. Similarly,geographical information may be generalized, e.g., from a particularresidence location to a block centroid, thereby de-personalizing andanonymizing such information. Generally, any information that may entailprivacy concerns or identify network usage information may be consideredsensitive information. More particularly, the system learns of currentnetwork conditions prior to transmission of asset options via votes thatidentify assets without any sensitive information. Reports may also belimited to identifying assets that have been delivered (which assets areassociated with target audience parameters) or characterization of thefit of audience classification parameters of a user(s) to a targetaudience definition.

Even if it is desired to associate reports with particular users, e.g.,to account for ad skipping as discussed below, such association may bebased on an identification code or address not including PII. In anyevent, identification codes or any other information deemed sensitivecan be immediately stripped and discarded or hashed, and audienceclassification information can be used only in anonymous and aggregatedform to address any privacy concerns. With regard to hashing, sensitiveinformation such as a MAC or IP address (which may be included in adesignated header field) can be run through a hash function andreattached to the header, for example, to enable anonymousidentification of messages from the same origin as may be desired.Moreover, users can be notified of the targeted asset system and allowedto opt in or opt out such that participating users have positivelyassented to participate.

Much of the discussion above has referenced audience classificationparameters as relating to individuals as opposed to households. FIG. 11Aillustrates a theoretical example of a CPE 1101 including a televisionset 1100 and an STB 1102 that are associated with multiple users1103-1106. Arrow 1107 represents a user input stream, such as a clickstream from a remote control, over time. A first user 1105, in this casea child, uses the television 1100 during a first time period—forexample, in the morning. Second and third users 1103 and 1104(designated “father” and “mother”) use the television during timeperiods 1109 and 1110, which may be, for example, in the afternoon orevening. A babysitter 1106 uses the television during a night timeperiod in this example.

This illustrates a number of challenges related to targeted assetdelivery. First, because there are multiple users 1103-1106, targetingbased on household demographics would have limited effectiveness. Forexample, it may be assumed that the child 1105 and father 1103 in manycases would not be targeted by the same asset providers. Moreover, insome cases, multiple users may watch the same television at the sametime as indicated by the overlap of time periods 1109-1110. In addition,in some cases such as illustrated by the babysitter 1106 an unexpecteduser (from the perspective of the targeted asset system) may use thetelevision set 1100.

These noted difficulties are associated with a number of objectives thatare preferably addressed by the targeted asset system of the presentinvention. First, the system should preferably be operative todistinguish between multiple users of a single set and, in the contextof the system described above, vote and report to the networkaccordingly. Second, the system should preferably react over time tochanging conditions such as the transitions from use by father 1103 touse by both father and mother 1103 and 1104 to use by only mother 1104.The system should also preferably have some ability to characterizeunexpected users such as the babysitter 1106. In that case, the systemmay have no other information to go on other than the click stream 1107.The system may also identify time periods where, apparently, no user ispresent, though the set 1100 may still be on.

Preferably, the system also operates free from persistent storage of anyuser profile or sensitive information so that no third party has ameaningful opportunity to misappropriate such information or discoverthe private network usage patterns of any of the users 1103-1106 via thetargeted asset system. Privacy concerns can alternatively be addressedby obtaining consent from users. In this matter, sensitive informationincluding PII can be transmitted across the network and persistentlystored for use in targeting. This may allow for compiling a detaileduser profile, e.g., at the headend. Assets can then be selected based onthe user profile and, in certain implementations, addressed to specificCPEs.

In certain implementations, the present invention monitors the clickstream over a time window and applies a mathematical model to match apattern defined by the click stream to predefined audienceclassification parameters that may relate to demographic orpsychographic categories. It will be appreciated that the click streamwill indicate programs selected by users, volume and other informationthat may have some correlation, at least in a statistical sense, to theclassification parameters. In addition, factors such as the frequency ofchannel changes and the length of time that the user lingers on aparticular asset may be relevant to determining a value of an audienceclassification parameter. The system can also identify instances wherethere is apparently no user present.

In a first implementation, logic associated with the CPE 1101 usesprobabilistic modeling, fuzzy logic anchor machine learning toprogressively estimate the audience classification parameter values of acurrent user or users based on the click stream 1107. This process mayoptionally be supplemental based on stored information (preferably freeof sensitive information) concerning the household that may, forexample, affect probabilities associated with particular inputs. In thismanner, each user input event (which involves one or more items ofchange of status and/or duration information) can be used to update acurrent estimate of the audience classification parameters based onassociated probability values. The fuzzy logic may involve fuzzy datasets and probabilistic algorithms that accommodate estimations based oninputs of varying and limited predictive value.

In a second implementation, the click stream is modeled as an incompleteor noisy signal that can be processed to obtain audience classificationparameter information. More specifically, a series of clicks over timeor associated information can be viewed as a time-based signal. Thisinput signal is assumed to reflect a desired signature or pattern thatcan be correlated to audience classification parameters. However, thesignal is assumed to be incomplete or noisy—a common problem in signalprocessing. Accordingly, filtering techniques are employed to estimatethe “true” signal from the input stream and associated algorithmscorrelate that signal to the desired audience classificationinformation. For example, a nonlinear adaptive filter may be used inthis regard.

In either of these noted examples, certain preferred characteristicsapply. First, the inputs into the system are primarily a click streamand stored aggregated or statistical data, substantially free of anysensitive information. This addresses privacv concerns as noted abovebut also provides substantial flexibility to assess new environmentssuch as unexpected users. In addition, the system preferably has aforgetfulness such that recent inputs are more important than olderinputs. Either of the noted examples accommodates this objective. Itwill be appreciated that such forgetfulness allows the system to adaptto change, e.g., from a first user to multiple users to a second user.In addition, such forgetfulness limits the amount of viewing informationthat is available in the system at any one time, thereby furtheraddressing privacy concerns, and limits the time period during whichsuch information could conceivably be discovered. For example,information may be deleted and settings may be reset to default valuesperiodically, for example, when the STB is unplugged.

A block diagram of a system implementing such a user classificationsystem is shown in FIG. 11B. The illustrated system is implemented in aCPE 1120 including a user input module 1122 and a classification module1124. The user input module receives user inputs, e.g., from a remotecontrol or television control buttons, that may indicate channelselections, volume settings and the like. These inputs are used togetherwith programming information 1132 (which allows for correlation ofchannel selections to programming and/or associated audience profiles)for a number of functions. In this regard, the presence detector 1126determines whether it is likely that a user is present for all or aportion of an asset that is delivered. For example, a long time periodwithout any user inputs may indicate that no user is present and payingattention or a volume setting of zero may indicate that the asset wasnot effectively delivered. The classifier 1128 develops audienceclassification parameters for one or more users of a household asdiscussed above. The user identifier 1130 is operative to estimate whichuser, of the classified users, is currently present. Together, thesemodules 1126, 1128 and 1130 provide audience classification informationthat can be used to vote (or elect not to vote) and/or generate reports(or elect not to generate reports).

As noted above, one of the audience classifications that may be used fortargeting is location. Specifically, an asset provider may wish totarget only users within a defined geographic zone (e.g., proximate to abusiness outlet) or may wish to target different assets to differentgeographic zones (e.g., targeting different car ads to users havingdifferent supposed income levels based on location). Alternatively, anasset provider may wish to use a certain level of “fit” or “goodness offit” of an audience location classification parameter with otherclassification parameters to determine the fit of an asset. In certainimplementations, the present invention determines the location of aparticular CPE and uses the location information to target assets to theparticular CPE. It will be appreciated that an indication of thelocation of a CPE contains information that may be considered sensitive.The present invention also creates, extracts and/or receives thelocation information in a manner that addresses these privacy concerns.This may also be accomplished by generalizing or otherwise filtering outsensitive information from the location information sent across thenetwork. This may be accomplished by providing filtering or sortingfeatures at the CPE or at the headend. For example, information that maybe useful in the reporting process (i.e. to determine the number ofsuccessful deliveries within a specified location zone) may be sentupstream with little or no sensitive information included. Additionally,such location information can be generalized so as to not be personallyidentifiable. For example, all users on a given block or within anothergeographic zone (such as associated with a zip plus 2 area) may beassociated with the same location identifier (e.g., a centroid for thezone).

In one implementation, logic associated with the CPE sends an identifierupstream to the headend where the identifier is cross-referenced againsta list of billing addresses. The billing address that matches theidentifier is then translated, for example, using GIS information, intoa set of coordinates (e.g., Cartesian geographic coordinates) and thosecoordinates or an associated geographic zone identifier are sent back tothe CPE for storage as part of its location information. Alternatively,a list may be broadcast. In this case, a list including locationinformation for multiple or all network users is broadcast and each CPEselects its own information. Asset providers can also associate targetlocation information with an asset. For example, in connection with acontract interface as specified below, asset providers can define targetasset delivery zones. Preferably this can be done via a graphicalinterface (e.g., displaying a map), and the defined zones can match, toa fine level of granularity, targeted areas of interest without beinglimited to node areas or other network topology. Moreover, such zonescan have complex shapes including discontiguous portions. Preferably thezones can then be expressed in terms that allow for convenienttransmission in asset metadata and comparison to user locations e.g., interms of grid elements or area cells.

In another implementation, individual geographic regions are associatedwith unique identifiers and new regions can be defined based on theunion of existing regions. This can be extended to a granularityidentifying individual CPEs at its most fine level. Higher levelsincluding numerous CPEs may be used for voting and reporting to addressprivacy concerns.

Upon receipt of an asset option list or an asset delivery request (ADR),the CPE parses the ADR and determines whether the location of the CPE isincluded in the locations targeted by the asset referenced in the ADR.For example, this may involve a point in polygon or other point in areaalgorithm, a radius analysis, or a comparison to a network of definedgrid or cells such as a quadtree data structure. The CPE may then votefor assets to be received based on criteria including whether thelocation of that particular CPE is targeted by the asset.

After displaying an asset option, the CPE may also use its locationinformation in the reporting process to enhance the delivery data sentupstream. The process by which the CPE uses its location informationremoves substantially all sensitive information from the locationinformation. For example, the CPE may report that an asset targeted to aparticular group of locations was delivered to one of the locations inthe group. The CPE in this example would not report the location towhich asset was actually delivered. This location targetingfunctionality is described in detail below.

Similarly, it is often desired to associate tags with asset selections.Such tags are additional information that is superimposed on or appendedto such assets. For example, a tag may provide information regarding alocal store or other business location at the conclusion of an assetthat is distributed on a broader basis. Conventionally, such tags havebeen appended to ads prior to insertion at the headend and have beenlimited to coarse targeting. In accordance with the present invention,tags may be targeted to users in particular zones, locations or areas,such as neighborhoods. Tags may also be targeted based on other audienceclassification parameters such as age, gender, income level, etc. Forexample, tags at the end of a department store ad may advertise specialson particular items of interest to particular demographics.Specifically, a tag may be included in an asset flotilla andconditionally inserted based on logic contained within the CPE. Thus thetags are separate units that can be targeted like other assets, however,with conditional logic such that they are associated with thecorresponding asset.

The present invention may use information relating to the location of aparticular CPE 1120 to target a tag to a particular CPE 1120. Forexample, the CPE 120 may contain information relating to its location inthe form of Cartesian coordinates. If an asset indicates that a tag maybe delivered with it or instead of it, the CPE 1120 determines whetherthere is, associated with any of the potential tags, a locationcriterion that is met by the location information contained in theparticular CPE 1120. For example, a tag may include a location criteriondefining a particular neighborhood. If the CPE 1120 is located in thatneighborhood, the CPE 1120 may choose to deliver the tag, assuming thatother criteria necessary for the delivery of the tag are met. Othercriteria may include the time available in the given break, otherdemographic information, and information relating to the national ornon-localized asset.

As briefly noted above, targeting may also be implemented based onmarketing labels. Specifically, the headend may acquire information ormarketing labels regarding a user or household from a variety ofsources. These marketing labels may indicate that a user buys expensivecars, is a male 18-24 years old, or other information of potentialinterest to an asset provider. In some cases, this information may besimilar to the audience classification parameters, though it mayoptionally be static (not varying as television users change) and basedon hard data (as opposed to being surmised based on viewing patterns orthe like), such as the location of the CPE (e.g., STB). The location ofa CPE may be considered an audience classification parameter that, formany CPEs, does not vary with time. In other cases, the marketing labelsmay be more specific or otherwise different than the audienceclassification. In any event, the headend may inform the CPE as to whatkind of user/household it is in terms of marketing labels. An assetprovider can then target an asset based on the marketing labels and theasset will be delivered by CPEs where targeting matches. This can beused in audience aggregation and spot optimization contexts.

Thus, the targeted asset system of the present invention allows fortargeting of assets in a broadcast network based on any relevantaudience classification, whether determined based on user inputs such asa click stream, based on marketing labels or other information pushed tothe customer premises equipment, based on demographic or otherinformation stored or processed at the headend, or based on combinationsof the above or other information. In this regard, it is thereforepossible to use, in the context of a broadcast network, targetingconcepts that have previously been limited to other contexts such asdirect mail. For example, such targeting may make use of financialinformation, previous purchase information, periodical subscriptioninformation and the like. Moreover, classification systems developed inother contexts, may be leveraged to enhance the value of targetingachieved in accordance with the present invention.

An overview of the system has thus been provided, including introductorydiscussions of major components of the system, which provides a systemcontext for understanding the operation of those components. The variouscomponents will now be described in greater detail in the followingsections. Before specific reference is made to location-based targeting,the major components of the system will be discussed, includingmeasurement and voting, bandwidth optimization, dynamic scheduling, andreporting. Location-based targeting will then be described in relationto these system components. Then exemplary system implementations willbe described, including applications of location-based targetingtherein.

III. COMPONENT OVERVIEW A. Measurement and Voting

As discussed above, in order to provide targeted assets to users of atelevision network, signals received from at least a portion of the CPEsmay be utilized to select asset options for delivery and/or to determinethe size and composition of the viewing audience. For example, a networkoperator may receive signals from all or a sampling of network users.This sampling is preferably both statistically significant (in terms ofsampling size) and valid in terms of being sufficiently random to bereliably representative of the universe of all relevant users. In somecases, the network operator may receive signals only from users who have“opted in” or agreed to participate in the targeted asset system, andthis group of users may not be statistically significant or relevant. Inmany cases, however, these signals may indicate channels currently beingviewed and/or the audience classification of current users. In thisregard, a two-way communication path between a network platform such asa headend and CPEs, such as STBs, of one or more households may beprovided over a network interface.

FIG. 13 illustrates communications between a network platform orplatforms 1304 operating a targeted asset system in accordance with thepresent invention and a CPE 1308. In this regard, the platform 1304 mayinclude various combinations of the components discussed above inrelation to FIGS. 1-12. Generally, the platform 1304 includes a headendthat is operative to communicate with CPE over a network interface 1310.The CPE 1308 may include a set top box (STB). As will be appreciated,each user in the network may have such an STB or a sub-set (less thanall) of the viewers may have such STBs. Some users may have an STB butonly use it some of the time, e.g., only when watching HDTV programming.Moreover, some users may have an STB but choose not to participate inthe targeted asset system. In any event, at least a portion of thenetwork viewers have a CPE 1308 that is operative to receive signals viathe network interface 1310 as well as provide signals to the platform1304 via the network interface 1310 for purposes of the targeted assetdelivery system. Further, the platform 1304 may be in communication witha traffic and billing platform 1360 which may act as an intermediarybetween asset providers 1370 and the network operator. In this regard,the T&B platform 1360 may receive target audience parameters and otherconstraints from the asset providers 1370 as well as provide billinginformation to such asset providers 1370 based on the delivery of suchassets. The T&B platform 1360 may also manage the flow of targetedassets.

Generally, signals received from a CPE 1308 are utilized by the presentsystem for at least three separate applications, which in some instancesmay also be combined. These applications may be termed measurement,voting and reporting. Reporting is described in more detail below.Measurement relates to the use of the signals to identify the audiencesize and, optionally, the classification composition of the audience.This information assists in estimating the universe of users availablefor targeting, including an estimate of the size and composition of anaudience that may be aggregated over multiple channels (e.g., includinglow share channels) to form a substantial aggregated audience.Accordingly, a targeted asset may be provided for the aggregatedaudience to enhance the number of users who receive the asset. Votinginvolves the use of signals received from CPEs 1308 to provide an assetbased on asset indications from the CPEs. In any case, assets may beselected and inserted into one or more transmitted data streams based onsignals received from one or more CPEs 1308.

With regard to audience measurement, the two-way communication betweenthe platform 1304 and CPE 1308 allows for gathering information whichmay indicate, at least implicitly, information regarding audience sizeand audience classification composition. In this regard, individual CPEs1308 may periodically or upon request provide a signal to the platform1304 indicating, for example, that an individual CPE 1308 is active andwhat channel is currently being displayed by the CPE 1308. Thisinformation, which may be provided in connection with voting, reportingon other messages (e.g., messages dedicated to measurement) can be usedto infer audience size and composition. Wholly apart from the targetedasset system, such information may be useful to support ratings andshare information or for any other audience measurement objective. Suchinformation may also be utilized to tailor transmissions to the CPE 1308and reduce bandwidth and processing requirements.

Referring briefly to FIG. 7, it is noted that of the availableprogramming channels, four programming channels have the largestindividual share of users (e.g., the four major networks). However,there are numerous other users in the network albeit in smaller sharesof the total on a channel-by-channel basis. By providing a common set ofasset options to the users of two or more of the programming channelshaving a small market share (or even to users of programming channelswith large shares), an aggregated audience may be created. That is, acommon asset option or set of asset options may be provided to anaggregated group from multiple programming channels. Once combined, theeffective market share of an aggregated audience composed of users fromsmall share channels may approximate the market share of, for example,one of the four major networks.

While the aggregation of the users of multiple programming channels intoan aggregated audience allows for providing a common set of assetoptions to each of the programming channels, it will be appreciated thatthe asset will generally be provided for each individual programmingchannel at different times. This is shown in FIG. 15 where two differentprogramming channels (e.g., 1502 and 1504), which may be combined into avirtual channel, have different scheduled breaks 1512, 1514. In thisregard, an asset may be delivered on the first channel 1502 prior towhen the same asset is delivered on the second channel 1504. However,this common asset may still be provided within a predetermined timewindow (e.g., between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.). In this regard, the asset maybe delivered to the aggregated market share (or a subset thereof) withindefined constraints regarding delivery time. Alternatively, the size ofsuch an aggregated audience may be estimated in advance based onprevious reporting, ratings and census data, or any other technique.Thus measurement or voting is not necessary to accomplish targeting,though such detailed asset information is useful. Actual delivery may beverified by subsequent reporting. As will be appreciated, suchaggregation allows a network operator to disseminate assets based on theincreased market share of the aggregated audience(s) in relation to anyone of the subsumed programming channels, as well as allowing an assetprovider to more effectively target a current viewing audience.

Another application that is supported by signals from CPEs is theprovision of targeted assets to current users of one or more channelswithin the network, e.g., based on voting. Such an application isillustrated in FIG. 14, where, in one arrangement, signals received fromCPEs 1410 (only one shown) may be utilized to select assets (e.g., abreak asset and/or programming) for at least one programming channel1450. In this regard, such assets may be dynamically selected forinsertion into the data stream of the programming channel 1450, forexample, during a break or other designated time period. In a furtherarrangement, unused bandwidth of the network is utilized to provideparallel asset streams during a break or designated time period of thetargeted channel 1450. In the context of a break, multiple assetchannels 1460A-N may be used to provide asset options during a singlebreak, wherein each asset channel 1460A-N may provide options directedto different groups of viewers and/or otherwise carry different assets(e.g., users having similar audience classification parameters mayreceive different assets due to a desired sequencing of packaged assetsas discussed below).

In such an arrangement, the CPE 1410 may be operative to select betweenalternate asset channels 1460A-N. In addition to targeted audienceaggregation, such a system may be desirable to enhance revenues orimpact for programming, including large share programming (spotoptimization). That is, a single break may be apportioned to two or moredifferent asset providers, or, a single asset provider may providealternate assets where the alternate assets target different groups ofusers. Though discussed herein as being directed to providing differentbreak or interstitial assets to different groups of users, it should benoted that the system may also be utilized to provide differentprogramming assets.

An associated asset targeting system implementing a voting process isillustrated in FIG. 14. The asset targeting system of FIG. 14 has aplatform 1404, which includes a structure of the network (i.e., upstreamfrom the users/households) that is operative to communicate with CPEs1410 (only one shown) within the network. The illustrated CPE 1410includes a signal processing device 1408, which in the presentillustration is embodied in an STB. Generally, the platform 1404 isoperative to communicate with the CPE 1410 via a network interface 1440.In order to provide parallel asset channels 1460A-N during a break of aprogramming channel, e.g., channel 1450, the platform 1404 is incommunication with one or more of the following components: a scheduledatabase 1420, an available asset option database 1422, voting database1424, a flotilla constructor 1426, a channel arbitrator 1428, and aninserter 1430. Of note, the listed components 1420-1430 do not have tobe located at a common network location. That is, the various componentsof the platform 1404 may be distributed over separate locations withinthe network and may be interconnected by any appropriate communicationinterfaces.

Generally, the schedule database 1420 includes information regarding thetiming of breaks for one or more programming channels, the asset optiondatabase 1422 includes available asset metadata identifying the assetand targeted audience classification parameters, and the voting database1424 includes voting information obtained from one or more CPEs for usein targeting assets. The actual assets are generally included inseparate storage (not shown). The flotilla constructor 1426 is utilizedto populate a break of a programming channel and/or asset channels1460A-N with selected assets. The channel arbitrator 1428 is utilized toarbitrate the use of limited bandwidth (e.g., available asset channels1460A-N) when a conflict arises between breaks of two or more supportedprogramming channels. Finally, the inserter 1430 is utilized to insertselected assets or targeted assets into an asset stream (e.g., of aprogramming channel 1450 and/or one or more asset channels 1460A-N)prior to transmitting the stream across the network interface 1440. Aswill be discussed herein, the system is operative to provide assetchannels 1460A-N to support asset options for breaks of multipleprogramming channels within the network.

In order to provide asset channels 1460A-N for one or more programmingchannels, the timing of the breaks on the relevant programming channelsis determined. For instance, FIG. 15 illustrates three programmingchannels that may be provided by the network operator to a household viaa network interface. As will be appreciated, many more channels may alsobe provided. The channels 1502, 1504 and 1506 comprise three programmingstreams for which targeted assets are provided. Users may switch betweeneach of these channels 1502, 1504 and 1506 (and generally many more) toselect between programming options. Each channel 1502, 1504 and 1506includes a break 1512, 1514 and 1516, respectively, during theprogramming period shown. During breaks 1512-1516 one or more assetspots are typically available. That is, a sequence of shorter assets maybe used to fill the 90-second break. For example, two, three or fourspots may be defined on a single channel for a single break. Differentnumbers of spots may be provided for the same break on differentchannels and a different number of channels may be used for differentportions of the break.

In order to provide notice of upcoming breaks or insertion opportunitieswithin a break, programming streams often include a cue tone signal 1530(or a cue message in digital networks) a predetermined time before thebeginning of each break or insertion opportunity. These cue tone signals1530 have historically been utilized to allow local asset providers toinsert localized assets into a network feed. Further, various channelsmay provide window start times and window end times during which one ormore breaks will occur. These start and end times define an availwindow. Again, this information has historically been provided to allowlocal asset providers to insert local assets into a broadcast stream.This information may also be utilized by the targeted asset system todetermine when a break will occur during programming. Accordingly, thesystem may be operative to monitor programming channels, e.g., 1502,1504 and 1506, for cue tone signals 1530 as well as obtain and storeinformation regarding window start and end times (e.g., in the scheduledatabase 1420). The available window information may be received fromthe T&B system and may be manually entered.

Due to the limited bandwidth available for providing targeted assetdelivery, it may be desirable to identify one or more characteristicsassociated with each programming channel 1502, 1504 and 1506 whendetermining which channel(s) should receive targeted asset delivery forconflicting breaks or how available bandwidth should be apportionedamong the conflicting programming channels. In this regard, it will benoted that breaks on different channels are often at least partiallyoverlapping. For instance, the break 1514 of channel 1504 partiallyoverlaps the break 1516 on channel 1506. Accordingly, it may bedesirable to arbitrate the limited resources available for targetedasset delivery between the two channels 1504 and 1506.

For instance, the arbitrator 1428 (See FIG. 14) may determine that thefirst channel 1506 does not currently have enough users to warrant useof any available bandwidth to provide targeted asset delivery.Alternatively, the available bandwidth may be split between the firstand second channels 1504, 1506 such that targeting asset delivery may beprovided for each break 1514, 1516. As a further alternative, theavailable asset channels may be split between supporting the first andsecond channels 1504, 1506, for example, in proportion to theirrespective audience sizes. It is noted that it may be possible to use agiven asset channel in support of only a portion of a break, forexample, in connection with partially overlapping breaks, though thisinvolves certain practical difficulties related to scheduling andflotilla construction. This may also require knowledge of the underlyingbreak structure, e.g., to ensure that the viewer is not returned to thesecond half of a sixty-second asset. This information will generally notbe available to the CPE. Also, different numbers of asset channels maybe available at different time periods of a break. Signals received fromCPEs, e.g., recent or historical signals, may be utilized forarbitration purposes. Further, it will be appreciated that in someinstances one or more channels may include aligned breaks. For instance,channels having a common ownership entity (e.g., ESPN and ABC) may havealigned breaks for certain programming. Accordingly, bandwidth fortargeted asset delivery for these common channels may be shared.

Referring again to FIG. 14, the use of signals from the CPE 1410 mayallow for providing assets that are tailored to current users orotherwise providing different assets to different groups of users. Inthis regard, an asset that has targeting parameters that match theclassification parameters of the greatest number or value of users maybe provided within the broadcast stream of a supported programmingchannel 1450 during a break. It is noted that the most appropriate assetmay thereby be provided to analog or otherwise nonparticipating users(assuming the voters are representative of the relevant user universe),yielding a degree of targeting even for them. Moreover, some targetingbenefit can be achieved for a large number of programming channels, evenchannels that may not be supported by asset channels with respect to agiven break.

Alternatively or additionally, different assets may be provided on theasset channels 1460A-N during the break of a programming channel. Duringa break where asset channels 146A-N are available, a CPE 1410 of aparticular household may, based on a determination implemented at theCPE 1410, switch to one of the asset channels 1460A-N that containsappropriate assets. Accordingly, such assets of the asset channel1460A-N may be displayed during the break. During the break, the CPE1410 may stay on one asset channel 1460A-N (in the case of a break withmultiple spots in sequence) or may navigate through the break selectingthe most appropriate assets. After the break, the CPE 1410 may switchback to the original programming channel (if necessary). This switchingmay occur seamlessly from the point of view of a user. In this regard,different assets may be provided to different users during the samebreak. As will be appreciated, this allows asset providers to targetdifferent groups during the same break. Further it allows for a networkoperator to market a single spot to two different asset providers on anapportioned basis (or allow a single asset provider to fill a singlespot with multiple asset options). Each asset provider may, for example,thereby pay for an audience that better matches its target.

The number of asset channels available for targeted asset delivery maybe limited by the available bandwidth (e.g., unused channels) of a givennetwork operator. As discussed below, the system may make use ofchannels that are opportunistically available, e.g., channels that areused for VOD at night may be available to support asset options duringthe day, or unused bandwidth within a node switch area may be used forthis purpose. FIG. 16A illustrates the use of four asset channels1601-1604 for providing assets during a break 1610 of a programmingchannel 1600. As shown, on each asset channel 1601-1604, the break 1610may be separated into one or more asset slots that may have differentdurations. However, in the case of FIG. 16A, the start and end times ofthe asset sets A-C, D-E, F-H and I-K carried by the asset channels1601-1604 are aligned with the start and end times of the break 1610.Each of the asset channels 1601-1604 may carry an asset that is targetedto a specific audience classification of the users of the programmingchannel 1600 or the users of additional programming channels having abreak aligned with the break 1610 of the programming channel 1600.

It should be noted that flotillas need not be rectangular as shown inFIG. 16A. That is, due to conflicts between breaks or the intermittentavailability of certain asset channels as discussed above, the totalnumber of asset channels used to support a given programming channel maychange during a break. This is illustrated in FIG. 16B. As shown, assetsA-N are provided during a break 1670 on asset channels 1671-1675 and thesupported programming channel 1676. In this case, channels 1674 and 1675(as well as programming channel 1676) provide assets throughout thebreak 1670. Channel 1673 does not provide assets until sometime afterthe break begins. Channel 1672 provides assets from the beginning of thebreak, but ceases to provide assets prior to the end of the break 1670.Channel 1671 starts providing assets after the start of the break 1670and ceases providing assets prior to the end of the break 1670. It willbe appreciated that complex flotilla shapes may be implemented.

Referring again to FIG. 16A, each asset channel 1601-1604 includes adifferent combination of assets A-K that may be targeted to differentviewers of the channel 1600 during a given break 1610. Collectively, theassets A-K carried by the asset channels 1601-1604 define a flotilla1650 that includes assets that may be targeted to different groups ofusers. The most appropriate assets for a given user may be on differentones of the channels 1601-1604 at different times during the break 1610.These can be delivered to the user by channel hopping during the breakwith due consideration given to the fact that spots on differentchannels 1601-1604 may not have the same start and end times. How thevarious spots in the flotilla 1650 are populated with assets isdescribed in more detail below.

The four asset channels 1601-1604 may be utilized to provide multipleasset options for different programming channels. For instance referringto FIG. 15, programming channels 1502 and 1506 have temporally distinctbreaks 1512 and 1515. Accordingly, the system may provide a firstfour-channel asset flotilla having a first set of assets during thefirst break 1512 for the first channel 1502. Likewise a secondfour-channel asset flotilla having a second set of assets may beprovided during the second break 1516 for the second channel 1506. Inthis regard, use of the bandwidth available for asset channels may beshared between programming channels 1502 and 1506. In cases where breaksoverlap (e.g., breaks 1514 and 1516), one channel may be selected fortargeted asset delivery, or, the available bandwidth for the assetchannels may be split between the conflicting breaks. For example, eachprogramming channel may be supported by a two-channel asset flotilla orone programming channel may be supported by three asset channels and theother programming channel supported by only one asset channel, forexample, due to relative audience sizes or asset delivery values.Arbitration of available bandwidth between conflicting channels ishandled by the channel arbitrator 1428, as will be more fully discussedherein.

Selection of assets to fill a break of a programming channel, or to fillthe available spots within each asset channel of a flotilla may be basedon votes of users of the programming channel. That is, assets may beselected by the flotilla constructor 1426 (See FIG. 14) in response tosignals received from CPEs 11410 within the network. As shown in FIG.13, the process of selecting and providing targeted assets based onsignals from CPEs includes four general steps. Initially, the platform1304 provides (1320) an asset option list of proposed assets to the CPEs1308 in the network. This may be based on asset provider contracts andassociated ADRs. Next, each CPE 1308 votes (1330) on the mostappropriate asset or assets from the asset option list. That is, eachCPE 1308 provides a signal to the network 1304 that indicates the bestmatching asset(s) for the particular CPE 1308 based on a comparison oftarget information to audience classification information. Based on thevotes (1330) from one or more CPEs 1308, the platform 1304 selectstargeted assets from the available assets and generates (1340) an assetview list and an asset flotilla, which is provided to each voting CPE1308. For example, the asset view list many indicate channels whereassets are available and provide associated audience classificationinformation (if necessary) to assist in asset selection. Each CPE 1308may then receive the view list and flotilla.

The process by which the votes are used to populate the various assetspots in a flotilla may involve a number of considerations. Referringagain to FIG. 16A, the flotilla defines a matrix of assets illustratedas including a horizontal time axis and a vertical axis of assetchannels. In the simple case where all the assets correspond to spots ofthe same length (e.g., all 30 second spots and the same number of assetchannels are used throughout the break) the matrix would define a neatarrangement of rows and columns. The flotilla constructor would then beoperative, among other things, to map assets to row and column addressesof the matrix, for example, based on their vote rankings.

Some of the considerations that may be involved in this regard includethe following. First, the programming channel 1600 itself may bepopulated with an asset sequence determined based on voting. The assetsinserted into the programming channel will be delivered to analog andotherwise nonparticipating users, as well as to participating userswhose CPEs select that asset sequence, and may therefore be expected toconstitute the largest user segment of the flotilla. Accordingly, assetswith higher vote rankings may be inserted on the programming channel1600.

In addition, in the case of breaks including more than two spots, firstand last spots may be deemed more valuable by asset providers thanmiddle spots. Accordingly, higher vote ranking assets may be favored forfirst and last spots, resulting in population of the matrix more on acolumn-by column basis as a function of votes rather than on arow-by-row basis. However, and somewhat by contrast, it may be desiredto time stagger the highest vote ranking assets, for example, so that agiven user may have the opportunity to view both the top voted asset andthe second-most voted asset.

The process of populating the flotilla matrix may also take into accountdemographics determined independent of the voting process. Thus, asnoted above, if twelve spots are included in the flotilla, the spots maybe apportioned to reflect, for example, the demographic composition ofthe program audience—e.g., two-thirds female and one-third male, ortwo-thirds female 18-34 years old and one-third female 34 and over—orthe weighted average of the program audience (e.g., resulting in adisproportionate channel allocation for audience segments or assetsdeemed to have an exceptionally high or low per user value). Suchinformation may be based, for example, on conventional ratingsinformation.

Moreover, this flotilla population process may take into account systemlimitations. For example, if the system is implemented without theability to navigate between or a preference against navigating betweendifferent channels during a given break, or if it is desired to minimizehops during a break, then the flotilla may be constructed so that agiven channel has assets intended for a consistent audienceclassification throughout a break. That is, votes may be tabulated on aclassification dependent basis and then corresponding rows may bepopulated based on the votes. Additionally, in connection with packagedassets having a desired sequencing, such sequencing may be considered inflotilla construction.

The flotilla construction process may also take into account thedesirability of effectively navigating through an entire break, whichmay entail multiple channel hops. For example, it has been noted assetoptions may be included on the programming channel as well as on assetchannels. However, the underlying structure of the assets interleavedinto the programming content is generally not known. Accordingly, eitherinformation regarding such underlying structure can be provided throughappropriate signaling or returns to the programming channel during abreak can be precluded so as to avoid switching to an asset in progress.

It is also desirable that each customer premises equipment device beable to navigate across a break selecting assets that are appropriatefor the current user. For example, a flotilla may include a number ofcolumns corresponding to a sequence of asset spots for a break. If onecolumn included all assets directed to children, non-children userswould be left without an appropriate asset option for that spot. Thus,options for avoiding such situations include making sure that a widelytargeted asset is available in each column or time period, or that theunion of the subsets defined by the targeting constraints for each assetin a column or time period represents the largest possible subset of theuniverse of users. Of course, this may conflict with other flotillaconstruction goals and an optimal solution may need to be arbitrated. Inaddition, where an issue arises as to which assets to include in aflotilla, the identity of the relevant asset providers may be considered(e.g., a larger volume asset provider or an asset provider who has paidfor a higher level of service may be given preference).

It will be appreciated that a variety of factors may be reflected in analgorithm for using the vote information to populate a flotilla. Forexample, Gantt chart logic or other conditional scheduling logic may beimplemented in this regard.

Alternatively, asset options may be provided via a forward-and-storearchitecture in the case of CPEs with substantial storage resources,e.g., DVRs. In this regard, an asset may be inserted into a designatedbandwidth segment and downloaded via the network interface to thestorage of the CPE. Accordingly, the CPE may then selectively insert theasset from the storage into a subsequent break. Further, in thisarchitecture, the assets of the stored options and associated metadatamay include an expiration time. Assets may be discarded (e.g., deleted)upon expiration regardless of whether they have been delivered. In thisarchitecture, it will be appreciated that the transmission of assetsdoes not have a real-time component, so the available bandwidth may varyduring transmission. Moreover, a thirty second asset may be transmittedin five seconds or over thirty minutes. The available assets may bebroadcast to all CPEs with individual CPEs only storing appropriateassets. In addition, due to storage limitations, a CPE may delete anasset of interest and re-record it later.

In contrast, in the asset channel architecture, the flotilla istransmitted in synchronization with the associated break and requireslittle or no storage at the CPE. In either case, once an asset from thestorage or flotilla is displayed, each CPE 1308 may provide (1350) anasset delivery notification (ADN) to the network platform 1304indicating that the particular asset was delivered. The platform 1304may then provide aggregated or compiled information regarding the totalnumber of users that received a given asset to a billing platform 1360.Accordingly, individual asset providers may be billed in accordance withhow many users received a given asset. Each of these steps 1320-1350 ismore fully discussed herein.

As noted, signals from the individual CPEs 1308 may be utilized fortargeted asset system purposes. However, it will be appreciated thatwhile it is possible to receive vote signals from each CPE 1308 in anetwork, such full network ‘polling’ may result in large bandwidthrequirements. In one alternate implementation, statistical sampling isutilized to reduce the bandwidth requirements between the network 1304and the CPEs 1308. As will be appreciated, sampling of a statisticallysignificant and relevant portion of the CPEs 1308 will provide a usefulrepresentation of the channels currently being used as well as a usefulrepresentation of the most appropriate assets for the users using thosechannels.

In order to provide statistical sampling for the network, a sub-set ofless than all of the CPEs 1304 may provide signals to the networkplatform 1304. For instance, in a first arrangement, each CPE 1308 mayinclude a random number generator. Periodically, such a random numbergenerator may generate an output. If this output meets a predeterminedcriteria (e.g., a number ending with 5), the CPE 1308 may provide asignal to the network 1304 in relation to an option list. Alternatively,the platform 1304 may be operative to randomly select a subset of CPEs1308 to receive a request for information. In any case, it is preferablethat the subset of CPEs 1308 be large enough in comparison to the totalnumber of CPEs 1308 to provide a statistically accurate overview ofcurrent network conditions. However, where a fully representativesampling is not available, attendant uncertainties can be addressedthrough business rules, e.g., providing a reduced price or greaterdissemination to account for the uncertainty.

In addition to statistically sampling the active CPEs 1304 forinformation relating to the present audience and the present audiencecharacteristics, the CPEs 1304 may use bandwidth, e.g., in anopportunistic manner, to transmit information. Information from CPEs1304 may be transmitted when bandwidth is available, or otherwise duringopportunistic times. The information so transmitted may includeinformation that is not time varying such as information relating to thelocations of CPEs. The information transmitted may also includetime-varying information such as characteristics (other than location)of a viewer presently watching a television attached to a CPE.

Referring again to FIG. 14, as noted, a network operator initiallyprovides an asset option list (the same as list 1010 of FIG. 10) to atleast the CPEs within the network that will vote on assets from thelist. Generally, the asset option list includes a list of availableassets for one or more upcoming breaks. In this regard, it will beappreciated that a platform 1404 within the network, see FIG. 14, may beoperative to obtain schedule information for all programming channelsthat have been identified to be supported by targeted assets. Theplatform 1404 may then use the schedule information to communicate withCPEs 1410 over the network interface 1440 prior to a break. Inparticular, the platform 1404 may be operative to provide the assetoption list to CPEs 1410, for example, periodically.

FIGS. 17A-17B illustrate exemplary asset option lists 1700.Specifically, FIG. 17A shows assets listed on a per break, per channelbasis. FIG. 17B shows assets listed for multiple breaks (specifyingaudience classification parameters and, optionally, channels includingaggregated audiences who may be associated with an identifier in thechannel column) in a single list. Each asset option 1710A-N in the list1700 of FIG. 17A is available for viewing during a subsequent break. Inthis regard, an asset provider may have requested that each such assetoption 1710A-N be made available for a particular time window and/or fora particular channel (i.e., which may include an aggregated audience).Furthermore, the asset option list 1700 may include one or moreconstraints 1712A-N for each available asset option 1710A-N. Suchconstraints 1712A-N may include without limitation, audienceclassification parameter information such as the desired age range,gender, geographic location and/or household income of the targetaudience for each asset 1710A-N. Once the list 1710A-N of asset optionsis sent to a CPE 1410 the CPE 1410 reviews the asset options and voteson the suitability of providing those asset options to a current user ofthe CPE 1410. In the case of FIG. 17B, CPEs may vote with respect to allasset options matching the current programming channel or anotherchannel deemed relevant.

This process is illustrated in FIG. 18. As shown, the CPE initiallyreceives (1810) an asset option list corresponding to the assets thatare available for at least one upcoming break. The CPE then selects(1820) current classification information, which includes putativeinformation associated with one or more users of the household. The CPEthen identifies (1830) constraints for a first asset within the list andscores (1840) the asset according to the suitability of the asset forinsertion at a subsequent break. In general, the asset options arescored (1840) based on the constraints of the asset as well as theaudience classification information. For instance, an asset having anage constraint (at least for the age parameter) specifying users betweenthe ages of 50 and 60 may be scored low or not at all (at least for theage parameter) in relation to an audience classification indicating acurrent viewer is between the ages of 18 and 39. In one arrangement, themore closely the asset targeting constraints (which may be expressed interms of audience classification parameters) and the audienceclassification information for a user match, the higher the score forthat asset. Likewise, the greater the divergence between the targetingconstraints and the audience classification information, the lower thescore for that asset. In another arrangement, a simple positive (i.e.,matching targeting constraints and audience classification) or negative(i.e., mismatch of targeting constraints and audience classification)may be provided.

A determination is then made as to whether there are additional assetsfor scoring. If so, the identification (1830) and scoring (1840) stepsare repeated for each asset. Once each relevant asset within the assetoption list has been scored (1840), the scores are transmitted (1850) tothe network operator via the network interface. For example, the CPE maybe instructed to return scores for the top N assets for a given break orspot, where N is dynamically configurable. By returning scores to thenetwork operator rather than providing audience classificationinformation for a particular user, information regarding a currentnetwork audience is gathered without exposing sensitive information tothe network.

Generally, scores from the individual CPEs are tallied to form acomposite score. The composite score indicates the degree to which,independent of a specific user, a particular asset would be suitable forviewing by a current audience during a subsequent break. In this regard,a network controller may rank the assets according to their compositescores for subsequent insertion during a break.

A number of factors in addition to vote scores may be relevant in thisregard. First, CPEs may express a negative preference or exclusion. Forexample, in connection with a child user, certain subject matter may beexcluded. This may be implemented by having the asset provider, anetwork operator or another party such as a regulatory entity enter an“adult only” or similar constraint in connection with the assetmetadata. An appropriate field may be provided in connection with a GUIof a contract placement platform as described below. In this manner,offensive asset delivery can be reduced or avoided for sensitive users.Asset providers or networks (to the extent that laws or regulationsallow) may also define exclusions. Thus, an asset provider may indicatethat an asset should or should not be run in connection with certaintypes of programs (e.g., that it should not be run in connection with a“G” rated program). As a further example, a political candidate mayenter an exclusion to avoid airing assets on a news network or othernetwork perceived to have a conflicting political base or agenda (or thenetwork may exclude assets from that candidate). Commodity codes mayalso be used in this regard. Thus, assets may be associated withcommodity codes relating to the subject matter of the asset. These codesmay be used by asset providers, network operators or others to avoidundesired association (e.g., successive ads for competitive products).Similarly, networks having a religious affiliation may exclude assetsdeemed repugnant. Many more examples may be envisioned in this regard.Moreover, negative preferences or exclusions may be specific to users orhouseholds and may be implemented at the CPE. For example, parentalcontrol or idiosyncratic concerns may be addressed in this manner. Itwill thus be appreciated that exclusions or negative preferences may beentered by a variety of entities via a variety of interfaces and may bereflected in asset metadata, voting metadata, selection algorithms orother places.

An additional factor that may be considered in relation to voting andasset selection relates to the concepts of asset frequency and progress.Frequency defines the number of times that an asset provider desires anasset to be shown at a given CPE (or, in the present context, to aparticular user) during a given time period (may be a week, a month,during a whole campaign or other period). Progress measures how well agiven CPE (or user) is doing in achieving this target. These factors maybe used in voting and asset selection. For example, if inadequateprogress has been made to date by a user for a specific asset, thatuser's CPE will be more likely to vote for the asset at issue and toselect it if available. Moreover, these factors may be considered at theheadend. For example, if a large number of users are behind in terms ofprogress, that asset may be inserted in a flotilla regardless of votingand may be designated for obligatory delivery by at least theappropriate users.

More specifically, the flotilla constructor 1426 (See FIG. 14) maycreate a view list and/or populate a flotilla for a subsequent break. Asshown in FIG. 16, the flotilla includes multiple slots, e.g., of varyinglength, on asset channels 1660A-N. In one arrangement, the entireflotilla 1650 may be populated with assets based on the overall votescores of the assets. For instance, the assets from the asset optionlist having the highest scores may be selected. The combined length ofany sequence of assets selected for a given asset channel 1660A-N willmatch the length of the break 1610. Alternatively, each asset channelmay be populated with assets based on their scores as well as one ormore demographic constraints.

For instance, during a major sporting event it may be anticipated (orverified from vote information) that a majority of the expected users ofthe relevant programming channel are males. Accordingly, three of theasset channels 1601-1604 may be populated with assets targeted to males.Alternatively, a designated proportion of the overall spots A-K may bededicated to assets targeted to males, or voting may simply be allowedto proceed, presumably resulting in a large proportion of the insertedassets being male targeted assets (though it may be desired to reservesome spots for minority classification users). In this regard, thehighest scoring assets directed to male viewers may be selected.Further, the three asset channels 1601-1603 (or individual spots) may bedirected to sub-groups of male viewer (e.g., based on age and/orincome). In contrast, the fourth asset channel 1604 (or a set of spots)may be populated with assets directed towards female viewers to provideasset delivery to a previously non-represented portion of the audienceor all spots may be allocated based on voting, which may or may notapportion the spots as described. As will be appreciated, assets may beselected for the fourth asset channel 1604 to include, for example, thehighest scoring assets from the asset option list that have a constraintindicating that the asset is targeted towards females. Once the flotillais populated, the CPE of each household may select a particular assetchannel for viewing during the break or may switch between assetscontained on different asset channels within the flotilla based onaudience classification information of the current user of the CPE.

It will be appreciated that other considerations may be involved inflotilla constriction. For example, asset providers often desire toplace assets in the first or the last spot within a break (hence, breaksare often 60 seconds long so as to include only first and last 30 secondspots). Moreover, asset providers may require a particular assetsequencing or pay a premium for a certain placement regardless of votingrank. Accordingly, significant care may be required in populating aflotilla with respect to rank or other factors.

To enable the CPE to switch to a designated asset channel for a break(or, for certain implementations, between asset options within theflotilla during a break) metadata may be provided in connection witheach asset channel(s) and/or programming channel(s). As will beappreciated, each individual asset channel is a portion of an assetstream having a predetermined bandwidth. These asset channels may befurther broken into in-band and out-of-band portions. Generally, thein-band portion of the signal supports the delivery of an asset stream(e.g., video). Triggers may be transmitted via the out-of-band portionof a channel. Further, such out-of-band portions of the bandwidth may beutilized for the delivery of the asset option list as well as a returnpath for use in collecting votes and reporting information from the CPE.More generally, it will be appreciated that in the various casesreferenced herein where messaging occurs between the CPE and a networkplatform, any appropriate messaging channels may be used includingseparate IP or telephony channels.

The metadata for particular assets may be included in the out-of-bandportion of an associated asset channel and may be in the form of textmessages. For instance, these text messages may be DCII textmessages/headers that are multiplexed into the out-of-band portion ofeach asset channel. In this regard, the CPE may review the metadata ofeach asset channel to identify which asset channel contains asset mostclosely aligned with an audience classification of a current user.

Based on the metadata, the CPE may select individual assets or assetsets depending on the implementation. Thus, in certain implementations,the CPE may select an asset for the first time-slot of a break that bestcorresponds to the audience classification of the current user. Thisprocess may be repeated for each time-slot within a break.Alternatively, an asset flotilla may include a single metadata set foreach asset channel and the CPE may simply select one asset channel foran entire break.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 19, the process of selecting assets forinsertion into one or more asset channels is described. Initially, theplatform 1404 identifies (1910) breaks in channels that are targeted forasset delivery. In this regard, the platform 1404 may access theschedule database 1420, which includes scheduling data for programmingchannels, to identify upcoming breaks. Further, the process may includeidentifying (1920) overlapping breaks of programming channels. If thereis a conflict between two breaks identified for targeted assets, anarbitration process may be implemented (1930) by the arbitrator 1428. Ifno conflict exists, asset channels may be allocated (1940) to providemultiple asset options for an upcoming break. Accordingly, voting datamay then be received (1950), for example from the voting data database1424 (which stores data compiled from received votes), for an upcomingtime period that includes the upcoming break.

Based on the voting data, the platform 1404 may access the asset optionsdatabase 1422 to populate (1960) the asset channels that form theflotilla with assets for the upcoming break. Once the flotilla ispopulated (1960), it may be broadcast in synchronization with a breakfor which targeted asset delivery is provided. In this regard, themethod may include inserting (1970) the flotilla into allocated assetchannels and, perhaps, in the programming channel. As will beappreciated this step may include providing metadata in connection withthe programming channel, asset channels or other bandwidth such that aCPE is aware that asset channels having alternate assets are availableand can select therefrom. For example, metadata on the programmingchannel may indicate to the CPE which asset channels are available suchthat the CPE may monitor the available asset channels and select assetsbased on the audience classification of a current user and the assetchannel metadata.

Referring to FIG. 20, an arbitration process 2000 is illustrated. Asnoted above, in some instances two programming channels identified fortargeted assets may have conflicting breaks. For instance, referringbriefly to FIG. 15 it is noted that channels 1504 and 1506 haveconflicting (i.e., non-aligned and overlapping) breaks 1514 and 1516. Itshould be noted that the exact timing of breaks cannot be determinedwith great precision and such timing is generally not known until a cueoccurs. As discussed below, this timing can be estimated based onhistorical data to obtain a statistical probability function identifyingwhen breaks will occur. Accordingly, in cases where limited bandwidth isavailable for providing targeted asset delivery, it may be desirable toarbitrate between channels apparently having conflicting breaks. Thismay allow, for example, asset providers to target one or moredemographic groups that are better represented by one of the conflictingchannels, to target the channel having a greater number of users or toproportionally allocate the bandwidth based on such factors. In thisregard, the process may include monitoring (2010) a plurality ofprogramming channels for which targeted asset delivery is provided andidentifying (2020) a first upcoming break on the first channel and asecond upcoming break on the second channel, where the first and secondupcoming breaks are only partially overlapping.

In the illustrated implementation, information associated with a currentstatus of at least one, and more preferably both, of the first andsecond channels is obtained (2030), This information is utilized toarbitrate (2040) between the first and second channels in order toprovide targeted asset delivery for at least one of the channels. Forinstance, the information may include information associated with a sizeof a current audience for one or both of the first and second channels.It may also include audience classification information. In this regard,it may be desirable to arbitrate (2040) between the first and secondchannel based on audience size; that is, to provide targeted assetdelivery only or mostly for the channel having a larger viewingaudience. Alternatively or additionally, audience classificationinformation for the current users of the first and/or second channelsmay be obtained (it will often be desired to maximize revenues and, inthis regard, an asset with a smaller target audience but a higher CPMmay be selected for a given spot over an asset with a larger audiencebut lower CPM). As a further example, alternate flotillas may beconstructed for a break based on voting and then the highest revenueflotilla may be inserted. Audience classification information may beinferred, for example, from the votes of CPEs of the first and secondchannels in responding to recently sent asset options lists. Likewise,arbitration (2040) may be made based on a desired audienceclassification parameter (e.g., high income individuals) irrespective ofthe overall size of the viewing audiences of the first and secondchannels. In this regard, the channel having a greater percentage ornumber of users of a desired classification may be selected. Forexample, an asset for a certain luxury car may have more value ifdelivered to a small audience, provided that that audience includes moreprospective buyers. In this regard it is noted that flotillaoptimization may involve maximizing factors other than vote scores,e.g., asset delivery revenues. Similarly, the criteria utilized forarbitration (2040) may be selected by asset providers. Once a channel isselected based on the arbitration (2040), targeted asset delivery may beprovided (2050) to the selected channel. Of course, both channels may besupported with smaller flotillas.

B. Bandwidth Optimization

Bandwidth available for transmission of asset options is generallylimited. Accordingly, the asset targeting system can be enhanced byoptimizing the use of each asset channel and identifying additionalbandwidth for exploitation. With regard to optimizing the use of eachasset channel, scheduling information such as start times and end timesfor breaks may be obtained for each programming channel. That is,networks may define avail windows and this information may be accessedfor use by the targeted asset delivery system. This information may beutilized to determine approximately when one or more breaks will occuron a given programming channel. Accordingly, such information may beutilized for targeting and arbitration purposes. For instance, referringto FIG. 15, it will be noted that channel 1506 includes separate availwindows 1550 and 1560 that correspond to two separate breaks 1516, 1562.However, in some instances a particular channel may not provide separateavail window information for separate breaks. For instance, for channel1502, an avail window 1570 extends over the entire length of aprogramming period of the channel 1502. In these cases, multiple breaksmay be defined within a single window. Thus, the first break may beindicated by a first cue tone (or message) for a window, a second breakmay be indicated by a second cue tone within a window, etc. It will beappreciated that, if a cue tone is missed in the conventional availwindow context, the assets of all subsequent breaks may be affected.

As avail window information does not correspond directly to break startand end times, information about the avail windows 1550, 1560 and 1570may not alone allow for identifying when breaks will occur and/or ifbreaks on different channels will be overlapping. Accordingly, a processis provided for narrowing avail windows such that available bandwidthfor targeted asset delivery may be more effectively utilized and/orallocated. Referring to FIG. 21, the process (2100) begins by obtaining(2110) network provided avail window information for a programmingperiod of at least a first programming channel. The avail windowinformation identifies at least a first time period during which onebreak occurs. More generally, avail window information may be obtained(2110) for a plurality of channels (e.g., channels 1502, 1504 and 1506).Once the network provided window information is obtained (2110),historical information associated with the programming period of theprogramming channel(s) is procured (2120). For example, the system ofthe present invention may gather actual break times and statisticallyprocess this information. The historical information is analyzed toidentify (2130) historical run times for one or more breaks of theprogramming period for the programming channel(s). In this regard, thesystem may begin with only the available window information or withbaseline estimates of break times (which may be wrong). In either case,the system can then learn break times by monitoring breaks on channelsof interest. The system may be seeded with some historical information.

For instance, it may be determined that for a specified 30 minuteprogramming period of a sitcom, that a first break may start betweenfour and six minutes after the hour or half-hour and end between six andeight minutes after the hour or half-hour. Likewise, the beginning andending times of other breaks during the programming may be determined.Based on the historical information, the avail windows for a givenchannel may be narrowed (2140) to better correspond with historic breakstart times and end times. For instance, an average start time for abreak may be at five minutes after the hour, however, the start time mayvary between four and six minutes. Accordingly, the avail window starttime may be set at three and a half minutes after the hour to provide abuffer period. An end time for the avail window may likewise be set toextend beyond an expected/historic end time for the break. In thisregard, a single avail window (e.g., avail window 1570 of channel 1502)may be shortened to correspond more closely with a break (e.g., break1512) and/or broken into temporally separate time periods thatcorrespond with separate breaks. As noted above, probability functionscan be generated to describe when breaks will occur, and the bestallocation of available bandwidth can be based on these probabilities.In some cases, breaks will not occur when expected and, therefore,unexpected conflicts may arise. It is expected that arbitrationprocesses can be implemented with little lead time in these cases. Inany event, if asset channels are unavailable, targeted assets will stillbe available on the programming channel.

As will be appreciated, by narrowing the windows on two or moreprogramming channels, it may be determined that breaks of those channelsare non-overlapping. This may allow for providing targeted assetdelivery using all available asset channels for both programmingchannels. Alternatively, it may be determined that breaks of first andsecond channels are partially overlapping and that arbitration betweenthe channels is required. In any case, once the asset windows arenarrowed, the system may limit monitoring for each programming channelto the narrowed avail time windows. Narrowing the avail windows improvesuse of the available bandwidth. In this manner, asset options can beenhanced by a process of asset bandwidth multiplexing. Thus, a givenasset channel may support asset options for a first programming channelat a first time, for a second programming channel at a second time, andso on. This multiplexing is enhanced by narrowing the avail windows on astatistical basis as discussed above.

Asset options can be further improved by increasing the availablebandwidth. This is illustrated in FIG. 16C. The network bandwidthincludes programming channel bandwidth 1650 which may be divided into anumber of programming channels, dedicated asset channel bandwidth 1652which, as described above may include a number of channels that arededicated to delivery of asset options, and opportunistic asset channelbandwidth 1654 which includes channels that, although not dedicated todelivering asset options, may be available for this purpose from time totime. The system of the present invention is operative to identify andexploit the opportunistic asset channels. For example, certain channelsin a cable television network may be used at certain times to delivervideo on demand content. When these channels are not being used todeliver video on demand content, they may be exploited by the presentinvention to provide additional asset options. Similarly, as discussedabove, networks often include node switches that utilize availablebandwidth to deliver programming channels only upon demand by userswithin the node area. In these cases, where the node area users have notdemanded programming channels that fully utilized the availablebandwidth, channels may be opportunistically available for transmissionof asset options.

In FIG. 16C, the dedicated asset channel bandwidth 1652 is illustratedas including five dedicated asset channels. In addition, for theillustrated time period, the network is shown as including opportunisticasset channel bandwidth 1654 including four additional opportunisticasset channels. The illustrated breaks of 1656, 1658, 1660, 1661 and1663 illustrate a variety of ways in which the bandwidth 1652 and 1654may be utilized. Thus, breaks 1656 and 1658 occur at non-overlappingtimes. Accordingly, each break 1656 or 1658 can be supported by all ofthe dedicated asset channels and, in this case, do not utilize theopportunistically available asset channels 1654 (though theopportunistic asset channels may be utilized to support a broader arrayof targeting options). Breaks 1660 and 1661 overlap and thus present aconflict with regard to scheduling of the dedicated asset channels 1652.In the illustrated example, the dedicated asset channels are apportionedas between breaks 1660 and 1661, for example, in proportion to the sizeof the audience on those channels. Alternatively, the available assetoptions may be supplemented by using the opportunistic asset channel1654 as indicated in phantom. Finally, for break 1663, all of thededicated asset channels 1652 and some of the opportunistic assetchannels 1654 are utilized to support an increased range of assetoptions in support of the break 1663.

C. Dynamic Scheduling

As noted above, the system allows for dynamically inserting assets insupport of one or more programming channels based on current networkconditions. That is, assets may be selected for programming channels inview of current network conditions as opposed to being selected ahead oftime based on expected network conditions. A process 2200 directed todynamic insertion of assets with respect to a break of a televisionprogramming is illustrated in FIG. 22. As shown, the process begins bymonitoring (2210) a programming channel, for example, to determine acurrent program or current audience size. It will be appreciated that anumber of programming channels may be monitored. In any case, statusinformation regarding a current status of at least one programmingchannel is procured (2220). Such procurement may include the receipt ofsignals from one or more CPEs (e.g., STBs) within the broadcast network.In this regard, such status information may be received in substantiallyreal-time or at least within a time period that corresponds closely withthe break for which targeted assets are provided. The status informationmay include, without limitation, the current programs, the size of thecurrent audience for one or more programming channels, audienceclassification information regarding the audience of a currentprogramming channel, and/or the geographic composition of an audience ofa current programming channel and, of course, votes with regard toclassification including geography. Such information is preferablyacquired, if at all, with due care to address privacy concerns. Based onsuch current status information, asset insertion options may beidentified (2230) for an upcoming programming period of one or moreprogramming channels. For instance, asset options may be selected basedon current network conditions. In one arrangement, an asset insertionschedule for a subsequent programming period may be developed (2240)based on the current network conditions. By way of example, an assetflotilla for a subsequent break may be populated with assets based oncurrent network conditions. Accordingly, the selected assets may beinserted (2250) into the subsequent break.

Such a process may ensure that high value air time is populated withappropriate assets. For instance, where current network conditions mayindicate that an audience is larger than expected for a currentprogramming period, higher value assets may be utilized to populatebreaks. Such conditions may exist when, for example, programming withhigh asset delivery value and a large expected audience extends beyond apredetermined programming period into a subsequent programming periodwith low asset delivery value (e.g., a sporting event goes intoovertime). Previously, assets directed to the subsequent low valueprogramming period might be aired to the larger than expected viewingaudience based on their pre-scheduled delivery times resulting inreduced revenue opportunities. The present system allows for dynamic(e.g., just-in-time) asset scheduling or, at least, overridingpre-scheduled delivery based on changing network conditions.

D. Reporting

It would be possible to implement the targeted asset system of thepresent invention without receiving reports from CPEs indicating whichassets, from among the asset options, were delivered to the user(s).That is, although there would be considerable uncertainty as to whatassets were delivered to whom, assets could be priced based on what canbe inferred regarding current network conditions due to the votingprocess. Such pricing may be improved in certain respects in relation toratings or share-based pricing under the conventional asset deliveryparadigm. Alternatively, pricing may be based entirely on demographicrating information such as Nielsen data together with a record of assetinsertion to build an estimate of the number of users who received anasset. For example, this may work in connection with programmingchannels that have good rating information.

However, in connection with the CPE selection model of the presentinvention, it is desirable to obtain report information concerningactual delivery of assets. That is, because the asset selection occursat the CPE (in either a forward-and-store or synchronized transmissionarchitecture) improved certainty regarding the size and audienceclassification values for actual delivery of assets can be enhanced byway of a reporting process. As described below, the present inventionprovides an appropriate reporting process in this regard and provides amechanism for using such report information to enable billing based onguaranteed delivery and/or a goodness of fit of the actual audience tothe target audience. In addition to improving the quality of billinginformation and information available for analysis of asseteffectiveness and return on investment, this reporting informationprovides for near real time (in some reporting implementations) audiencemeasurement with a high degree of accuracy. In this regard, thereporting may be preferred over voting as a measurement tool becausereports provide a positive, after-the-fact indication of actual audiencesize. Accordingly, such information may allow for improved ratings andshare data. For example, such data may be licensed to networks orratings measurement entities.

FIG. 23A illustrates a reporting system 2300 in accordance with thepresent invention. The reporting system 2300 is operative to allow atleast some users of a participating user group, generally identified byreference numeral 2302, to report actual asset delivery. In theillustrated implementation, such report information is transmitted to anetwork platform such as a headend 2304. The report information may befurther processed by an operations center 2306 and a traffic and billingsystem 2308.

More specifically, report information is generated by individual CPEs2314 each of which includes a report processing module 2316, an assetselector module 2818 and a user monitoring module 2320. The usermonitoring module 2320 monitors inputs from a current user and analyzesthe inputs to determine putative audience classification parametervalues for the user. Thus, for example, module 2320 may analyze a clickstream from a remote control together with information useful formatching a pattern of that click stream to probable audienceclassification parameter values.

These classification parameters may then be used by the asset selectormodule 2318 to select an asset or asset sequence from available assetoptions. Thus, as described above, multiple asset sequences may beavailable on the programming channel and separate asset channels.Metadata disseminated with or in advance of these assets may identify atarget audience for the assets in terms of audience classificationparameter values. Accordingly, the module 2318 can select an asset fromthe available options for delivery to the user (s) by matching putativeaudience classification parameter values of the user to target audienceclassification parameter values of the asset options. Once anappropriate asset option has been identified, delivery is executed byswitching to the corresponding asset channel (or remaining on theprogramming channel) as appropriate.

The report processing module 2316 is operative to report to the headend2304 information regarding assets actually delivered and in someimplementations, certain audience classification parameter values of theuser (s) to whom the asset was delivered. Accordingly, in suchimplementations, the report processing module 2316 receives assetdelivery information from module 2318 and putative audienceclassification parameter information for the user (s) from the usermonitoring module 2320. This information is used to populate variousfields of a report file. In other implementations, audienceclassification information is not included in the report. However, itmay be presumed that the asset was delivered to a user or users matchingthe target parameters. Moreover, such a presumption may be supported bya goodness of fit parameter included in the report. Thus, audienceclassification information may be inferred even where the report isdevoid of sensitive information.

In a preferred implementation of the present invention, the reportingsystem 2300 may operate in a standard mode or an exposed mode. In thestandard mode, the transmitted report file 2312 is substantially free ofany sensitive information. Thus, for example, the file 2312 may identifythe assets actually delivered, on what channel and, optionally, goodnessof fit measures as described above. The file 2312 may also include anidentification code for the user at least in its header field. Thisidentification code and any other information that may be deemedsensitive from a privacy perspective may be deleted or hashed as anearly step in report processing. In the illustrated implementation, asanitizing module 2313 deletes or hashes such information before furtherprocessing at the headend 2304. Additionally, in the standard mode, thereport information may be anonymized and aggregated by module 2313 priorto further processing, for example, for purposes of publishing audiencesize and demographics or estimating the target universe for futurebroadcasts.

In the exposed mode, a report file 2310 may include more informationincluding sensitive information. For example, information such as name,age, gender, income and the like for a user may be included in the file2310. In this regard, various levels of exposed mode may be definedcorresponding to various levels of allowed potentially sensitiveinformation. This information may be useful, for example, for comparisonwith estimated values to monitor system performance and to diagnoseerrors. This information also allows for demonstration that targetingworks. It will be appreciated that operation in the exposed mode may belimited to a small number of users who have consented to inclusion ofpotentially sensitive information in report files. In this regard, theremay be individual control of participation in exposed mode operation(and at what level of exposed mode) at the CPE level.

The report files pass through the headend 2304 and are processed by anoperations center 2306. The operations center 2306 is operative toperform a number of functions including processing report informationfor submission to billing and diagnostic functions as noted above. Theoperations center 2306 then forwards the processed report information tothe traffic and billing system 2308. The traffic and billing system 2308uses the processed report information to provide measurement informationto asset providers with respect to delivered assets, to assignappropriate billing values for delivered assets, and to estimate thetarget universe in connection with developing new asset deliverycontracts.

In order to reduce the bandwidth requirements associated with reporting,a statistical reporting process may be implemented similar to thestatistical voting process described above. In particular, rather thanhaving all CPEs report delivery with respect to all breaks, it may bedesirable to obtain reports from a statistical sampling of the audience2302. For example, the CPE of each user may include a random numbergenerator to generate a number in connection with each reportingopportunity. Associated logic may be configured such that the CPE willonly transmit a report file when certain numbers are generated, e.g.,numbers ending with the digit “5”. Alternatively, the CPE may generatereports only upon interrogation by the headend 2304 or the headend 2304may be configured to interrogate only a sampling of the audience 2302.Such statistical reporting is graphically depicted in FIG. 23 whereusers selected to report with respect to a given reporting opportunityare associated with solid line links and deselected users are associatedwith a broken line links. Moreover, reporting may be batched such thatall reports for a time period, e.g., 24 hours or seven days, may becollected in a single report transmission. Such transmissions may betimed, for example, to coincide with low messaging traffic time periodsof the network. Also, the reports from different CPEs may be spread overtime as described below.

The reporting system 2300 may optionally be configured to implementasset skip functionality. In certain cases, it may be possible for usersto skip assets as by fast forwarding through the asset delivery timeperiod. In these cases, the asset provider suffers a diminution ofreturn on its investment. Specifically, as noted above, a programmingasset is provided at considerable cost. In the case of asset supportednetworks, this cost is subsidized in whole or in part by asset deliveryrevenues. That is, asset providers pay for the opportunity to delivercommercial impressions to users. In the context of the system of thepresent invention, the cost of these assets can be readily translatedinto a cost per consumer per asset. That is, because the number oftargeted impressions is known from the reporting information, and thecost per asset is known from the contact information, a cost per userper asset can be directly calculated. When a user skips an asset, thevalue to the asset provider is diminished by this amount.

In the illustrated system 2300, asset skipping events can be detectedand this information can be reported. The injured asset provider canthen be compensated for this diminution in value and/or the user can bebilled to compensate for such asset skipping. For example, in the latterregard, programming assets can be delivered at a discount to users whoagree to accept delivery of assets. In VOD or DVR contexts, other userscan skip those assets. This facilitates asset delivery support incertain contexts that have previously been limited, as a practicalmatter, to pay-per-view. For example, movies or near-term (e.g., nextday) re-runs of network programming provided via a forward-and-storearchitecture may be asset supported as asset providers will havereasonable assurance that their assets have been delivered.

In this regard, the illustrated system 2300 optionally includes an assetskip module 2322. The asset skip module 2322 is operative to identifyasset skip events (full or partial) and to report this information tothe network. For example, asset skip events may be identified based onmonitoring a click stream from a remote control or otherwise monitoringthe video stream delivered to the user. As shown in FIG. 23B,appropriate information may be included in this regard in a report file2311. For purposes of illustration, the file 2311 includes four types ofreport information 2311A-D. 2311A identifies the break or spot at issue.Field 2311B indicates the asset option that was selected by the CPE. Forexample, the selected asset may be identified by reference to anassociated asset channel. This information is useful to identify theinjured asset provider so that the asset provider may optionally becompensated for the asset skip. Field 2311C identifies certain audienceclassification parameter values for the user, which may be included, forexample, in exposed mode operation. Finally, field 2311D includes a skipflag to indicate whether or not the asset was skipped. This field 2311Dallows for compensating asset providers and appropriately billing usersin relation to asset skipping.

FIG. 24 illustrates the various network components of a reporting system2400, as well as their connection to other functional components of theoverall targeted billing system. The illustrated system includes aheadend controller 2402, an operations center 2404 and a T&B system2416. In conventional networks without targeted asset delivery, thetraffic and billing system generally serves a number of functions. Amongthese, a trafficking function involves order entry and assigning assetsto spots. In this regard, an asset delivery schedule is built such thatthe headend knows to insert a particular asset upon receiving anidentified cue. Another function relates to billing. When the headendinserts an asset, it generates an as run log. These as run logs are usedby the traffic and billing system to generate affidavits verifyingdelivery of the assets for purposes of billing. In the case ofconventional networks, this is a straightforward process because theheadend knows what was inserted and therefore what was delivered.Moreover, conventional networks do not directly measure delivery.

In the case of a targeted asset delivery system in accordance with thepresent invention, this is somewhat more complicated. Order entryinvolves audience aggregation, spot optimization and other concepts asdescribed herein. An interface for facilitating this process isdescribed in detail below. With regard to billing, it is desired toprovide the T&B system 2416 with information analogous to theconventional as run logs (plus report information), but deliveryinformation originates from the CPEs. Moreover, knowledge of what assetwas delivered in connection with what programming channel generallyrequires: 1) a report from the CPE indicating what asset channel wasemployed for what spot; 2) what asset was inserted on that asset channelfor that spot; and 3) what programming channel that asset channel wasassociated with for that spot.

The illustrated headend controller 2402 generates as-run logs 2414 forall asset channels identifying the targeted assets that have beentransmitted via the asset channels. Thus, in step A of the illustratedsystem 2400, the as-run logs 2414 from the headend controller 2402 areprocessed by the operations center 2404. This processing provides anetwork based accounting for use by the T&B system 2416 of all targetedassets that were inserted by the asset server 2412 on the assetchannels. In step B, virtual channels are correlated to programmingchannels based on information from the targeted asset database 2406. Instep C of the illustrated system 2400, report information is processed.Specifically, an Asset Delivery Notification (ADN) 2410 including reportinformation is obtained in connection with each asset delivery by theCPEs or a representative sampling thereof. This information identifiesat least the spot or break and the asset or asset channel selected. Asnoted above, all digital set top boxes can be configured to eitherreturn or not return ADNs.

The as run logs 2414 together with the ADNs 2410 and targeted assetdatabase information provide a clear picture of what targeted assetswere played with respect to each programming channel and how manydigital set top boxes actually delivered the assets. This informationcan be used to generate affidavits 2420 verifying actual asset delivery.As discussed in more detail below, this enables a new asset deliveryparadigm involving a guaranteed delivery of targeted impressions.

FIG. 25 generally illustrates a customer premises side process 2500 forimplementing the reporting functionality. The illustrated process 2500is initiated by monitoring (2502) asset delivery. That is, the CPEmonitors the channels selected in connection with a given break forpurposes of reporting asset delivery. A determination is then made(2504) as to whether the CPE will operate in the standard mode or theexposed mode and, in the latter case, what level of exposed mode, e.g.,fully exposed or partially exposed. As noted above, exposed modeoperation will generally be limited to users who have specificallyassented to such operation. For operation in the standard mode, the CPEreports (2506) asset delivery and, perhaps, a goodness of fit measurefree from any sensitive information. In the exposed mode, the CPEdetermines (2508) a greater level of information for reporting to thenetwork. Such, information may include sensitive information regardingthe user. In either case, the CPE may run (2510) a statistical reportingmodule so as to make a determination (2512) as to whether to generate areport. Such statistical reporting reduces the bandwidth requirementsassociated with reporting. If no report is to be generated, the systemreturns to monitoring (2502) asset delivery.

On the other hand, where a report is to be delivered, a report spreadingmodule may be run (2514). The report spreading module is operative toinsure that reports from all reporting CPE are not generated at the sametime. Thus, for example, the report spreading module may determine aparticular time delay in connection with reporting delivery for aparticular break. This time delay may be predefined and may be differentfor different CPEs. Alternatively, the delay may be variable and may bedetermined, for example, based on the output of a random numbergenerator. As a still further alternative, reports may be stored up fordelivery at a time of day (e.g., during the night) when bandwidth isexpected to be more available. In that case, different CPEs may stillreport at different times. Reports may be stored for a longer periodprior to transmission. Reports are then generated (2516) and transmittedas determined by the report spreading module. The system then continuesmonitoring (2502) asset delivery.

FIG. 26 illustrates a network side process 2600 in connection with thereporting functionality. The illustrated process 2600 is initiated byreceiving (2602) asset reports indicating actual asset delivery. Asnoted above, the reports may include an identification code and otherinformation deemed sensitive from a privacy perspective. Suchinformation may be deleted or hashed as an early step in reportprocessing. In addition, a determination is made (2604) whether thereports reflect standard mode or exposed mode operation. For example, afield may be included in the reports to identify exposed mode orstandard mode operation, or the content of the various reporting fieldsmay be analyzed to determine whether they reflect standard mode orexposed mode operation. In the case of standard mode reports, the reportinformation may be anonymized and aggregated prior to furtherprocessing. Exposed mode reports may be used to execute (2606) certaindiagnostics. For example, actual user identification informationincluded in the exposed mode report may be compared to putative audienceclassification parameter values (indicated by asset selection) toexamine the accuracy of the user identification logic. Alternatively, inthe exposed mode, the report may simply include an identifier that canbe used to access information regarding a user or household stored atthe headend. In the case of statistical reporting, both the standardmode and the exposed mode records may be used to determine (2608)audience parameters. As discussed above, in order to reduce bandwidthrequirements associated with reporting, less than all CPEs, for example,a statistical sampling thereof, may provide reports. Accordingly, astatistical model may be used to determine the audience size and thesize of various audience segments based on the report data.

Billing parameters and goodness of fit information may then bedetermined (2612) based on the report information. The billingparameters will generally include information regarding the size of theaudience to whom an asset was delivered. The goodness of fit informationrelates to how well the actual audience matched the target audience ofthe asset provider. In this regard, a premium may be extracted where thefit is good or a discount or credit may be applied, or over delivery maybe provided where the fit was not as good. Based on this information,the T&B system can then generate billing records (2614). It will beappreciated that such billing reflects guaranteed delivery of targetedimpressions with compensation for less than optimal delivery.

As noted above, a platform and associated graphical user interface maybe provided for receiving asset contract information. As will bedescribed in more detail below, asset providers can use this interfaceto specify targeting information such as geographic information,demographic information, run-time information, run frequencyinformation, run sequence information and other information that definesasset delivery constraints. Similarly, constraint information may beprovided from other sources. This contract information may also includecertain pricing information including pricing parameters related togoodness of fit. Moreover, in accordance with the present invention,report information can be utilized as described above for purposes oftraffic and billing. All of this requires a degree of integrationbetween the T&B system, which may be a conventional product developed inthe context of the conventional asset delivery paradigm, and thetargeted asset delivery system of the present invention, which allowsfor implementation of a novel asset delivery paradigm.

Among other things, this integration requires appropriate configurationof the T&B system, appropriate configuration of the targeted assetdelivery system, and a definition of an appropriate messaging protocoland messaging fields for transfer of information between the T&B systemand the targeted asset delivery system. With respect to the T&B system,the system may be configured to recognize new fields of traffic andbilling data related to targeted asset delivery. These fields may beassociated with: the use of reporting data, as contrasted to ratings orshare data, to determine billing values; the use of goodness of fitparameters to determine billing parameters; and the use of reportinformation in estimating the target universe for subsequent broadcasts.Accordingly, the T&B system is configured to recognize a variety offields in this regard and execute associated logic for calculatingbilling parameters in accordance with asset delivery contracts.

The targeted asset system receives a variety of asset contractinformation via a defined graphical user interface. This asset contractinformation may set various constraints related to the target audience,goodness of fit parameters and the like. In addition, the graphical userinterface may be operative to project, in substantially real time, anestimated target universe associated with the defined contractparameters. Consequently, integration of the targeted asset deliverysystem with the T&B system may involve configuring the targeted assetdelivery system such that inputs entered via the graphical userinterface are mapped to the appropriate fields recognized by thetargeted asset delivery system. In addition, such integration mayinvolve recognizing report information forwarded from the targeted assetdelivery system for use in estimating the target universe. Generally,the T & B system is modified to included logic in this regard for usingthe information from the targeted asset delivery system to project atarget universe as a function of various contract information entered bythe asset provider via graphical user interface.

In addition, the interface between the targeted asset system and the T&Bsystem may be expanded in relation to conventional interfaces toaccommodate the targeted asset delivery functionality as set forthabove. That is, because billing is based on a targeted impressions,additional asset delivery report information is required by the T&Bsystem to compute billing parameters. Similarly, information from thetargeted asset system is required to inform the T&B system in estimatinga target universe. Moreover, contract information defining targetingconstraints is passed from the T&B system to the targeted asset system.Accordingly, a variety of fields are defined for transmission betweenthe systems as described above. These fields are accommodated byexpanding the messaging interface between the systems. In addition, anappropriate messaging protocol is defined for accommodating thisexpanded messaging asset.

FIG. 27 illustrates a process 2700 for interfacing the systems in thisregard. The illustrated process 2700 is initiated by providing (2702) aT&B system. As noted above, the starting point for providing the T&Bsystem may involve using a conventional T&B system developed in thecontext of the conventional time-slot buy asset delivery paradigm.Fields and a format for receipt of report data may then be established(2704) and integrated into the T&B system. In addition, certain fieldsand formats may be provided for exporting information from the T&Bsystem to the targeted asset delivery system, for example, for use intargeting assets. In operation, contract information including targetingconstraints for particular assets is exported (2705) from the T&B systemto the targeted asset delivery system. Assets are delivered inaccordance with the constraints as described above. Delivery report datais then obtained (2706) by the T&B system. This report data may betransmitted from CPEs and processed by an operations center prior todelivery to the T&B system as described above. In addition, the T&Bsystem accesses (2708) contract information relating to a relevant assetdelivery contract. This information may specify certain billingparameters as a function of audience size and goodness of fitinformation. The T&B system is then operative to determine (2710)billing data based on the contract information and the report data andto generate (2712) appropriate bills.

An overview of the system has thus been provided to assist inunderstanding the location targeting functionality set forth below,Additional details of the system are set forth in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/331,835, entitled “Targeted Impression Model forBroadcast Network Asset Delivery,” which is incorporated herein byreference.

IV. LOCATION TARGETING

As referenced above, assets may be advantageously targeted to specificlocations, so users in those locations may receive assets specificallymeant to be received and consumed in those locations. In the past, nodelevel switching was available to direct programming and associated adsto particular nodes in the cable network. Node level switching is anexample of geographical targeting based on network topology because theplacement of nodes in a network is part of the topology of that network.Switching at the node or headend is useful for coarse geographicaltargeting or targeting a geographical region that corresponds with anarea covered by a particular network element such as a node or a headendand can be used in implementing certain aspects of the presentinvention. In addition, multiple nodes may accept a particular asset socombinations of network topology-defined areas may be targeted as well.Such targeting may be based on location alone or in combination withother classification parameters as discussed above.

However, more preferably, location targeting can be implementedindependent of network topology, for example, using user equipmentdevice selection, delivery and reporting processes as discussed above.By way of overview, location targeting is accomplished by using locationcriteria for an asset like other targeting criteria discussed above.That is, an asset provider specifies a target location zone or otherlocation-related information using a targeting interface just as theasset provider would specify a target demographic group or the like.Based on these targeting criteria, including the location criteria, anasset list may be distributed to some or all CPEs, which, in turn,submit votes. Based on the votes, flotillas of assets may be constructedand inserted into available bandwidth (e.g., asset channels and/or thecurrent programming channel), and the location of such assets may beidentified by metadata transmissions. Individual CPEs can then deliverappropriate assets (e.g., based on targeting criteria, includinglocation criteria) and some or all of the CPEs may generate reportsregarding assets actually delivered as described above.

It will be appreciated that variations of this process may be used,especially in the case of location targeting. For example, in somecases, location may be the only criterion used for targeting. This mayoccur, for example, in a spot optimization context, where an advertiserpurchases a spot but wishes to deliver location-specific ads, orlocation-specific tags associated with an ad for general distribution,to provide information (e.g., contact information or promotionalinformation) for a local retail outlet. Location targeting is notlimited to specifications provided by advertisers. For example, anetwork operator may wish to target its subscribers on a locationdependent basis. This may be done, for example, to target specificpromotions to areas where competing service providers have begunoffering services or are otherwise targeting the network operationsubscriber base. In such cases, voting and reporting may be deemedunessential and may be skipped or ignored. Rather, the localized assetor tag may simply be distributed with metadata so as to enable CPEs toselect the appropriate content.

In the case of localized tags associated with general distribution ads,an asset provider may or may not desire to designate location as avoting parameter. For example, in the case of fine location targeting,voting based on location criteria might result in low vote totals forany localized asset or tag, even though the content might otherwise bewell matched to a large portion of the potential audience. This may beaddressed in a number of ways. For example, the asset provider may omitthe location criteria as a voting criteria (e.g., the location criteriamay be included only as delivery criteria in the case of availablebandwidth to submit multiple or all localized assets or tags), or thelocation criteria may be designated as secondary criteria (to be usedonly when there is bandwidth available for multiple localized assets).Alternatively, the location criteria may be used as delivery criteriaonly in a hybrid synchronous/forward-and-store system. For example, tagsassociated with a general distribution may be disseminated with locationmetadata prior to a spot and stored by appropriate CPEs. The generaldistribution ad may then be voted on as described above. If the generaldistribution ad is disseminated, it may be selected by the CPE fordelivery and the tag may be delivered with the ad.

The description below is set forth in the exemplary context of deliverydecisions, including decisions using location criteria, implemented atthe user equipment device. In various contexts, however, the deliverydecision may be made at a location separate from the user equipmentdevice. The selected asset may then, for example, be directly addressedto the user equipment device. For example, in a cable televisionnetwork, street addresses or other subscriber location information maybe provided by a network operator for use, alone or in combination withother targeting information, in matching individual subscribers toappropriate assets. The appropriate assets can then be addressed to theMAC addresses (or other network addresses) of corresponding subscribers.

In this regard, there are certain databases (e.g., associated withcredit card or other transaction data) that include substantialinformation of potential interest to advertisers. Such data may identifyparticular products purchased by individual consumers. This informationmay be processed to identify further aggregated or trend data (e.g.,geographical densities or people who drive sports cars). Suchinformation may be used directly for targeted advertising purposes,e.g., by providing such aggregated or trend data in relation to atargeted advertising interface to facilitate identification ofgeographic targeting criteria by advertisers. Moreover, the raw oraggregated data may be used to compile a list of subscribers to betargeted for an asset. For example, an asset provider may identify atarget audience for an asset based on income, prior purchasingdecisions, etc. The noted database may then be used to identify a masterlist of individuals matching the targeting criteria. The master list maythen be merged with a list of subscribers (e.g., identified by a serviceaddress) or subscribers within a specified zone to generate a list oftargeted asset recipients. The asset can then be directly addressed tothose recipients based on a MAC, an IP or another network address. Inthis case, location information may be used as a targeting criterion, amatching parameter for the merge process, a selection criterion for thesubscriber listed used in the merge process and/or in other ways.

Similarly, delivery decisions may be made at a location other than theuser equipment device in other directed address network contexts. Forexample, where broadcast network content is broadcast or re-broadcastvia the internet or via data enabled phones, location information for asubscriber may be obtained at a network platform separate from the userequipment device. For example, current location information for a mobile(e.g., cell) telephone may be obtained from a location gatewayassociated with the telephony network. In other cases, locationinformation may be obtained based on a service address. In any suchcase, the location information can be used to select assets that canthen be embedded in a programming stream or otherwise delivered to theuser equipment device.

In any event, the location targeting functionality described belowinvolves allowing asset providers or other parties to specify locationcriteria, allowing CPEs or other platforms to know their own positions(or allowing another platform to know CPE positions), and allowing CPEsto compare their positions to the location criteria (or providecorresponding functionality at a separate platform). Each of these isaddressed in turn below.

A. Specifying Target Location Criteria

Specifying target location criteria may be accomplished via the sameinterface system used to specify other criteria. This interface systemis generally described below, followed by a discussion of the specificlocation functionality.

FIG. 28A is a block diagram of exemplary targeted content interfaceconfiguration 3600. Targeted content interface configuration 3600 may beused to interface with an asset provider, such as an advertiser.Targeted content interface configuration 3600 may provide the advertiserwith an interface to a system that targets content for broadcastnetworks, such as the system described above. In this regard, advertiserinterface 3601 may include processor 3602 that provides graphical userinterface (“GUI”) 3604 to an advertiser. For example, processor 3602 maybe a general-purpose computer configured with a monitor to display GUI3604. GUI 3604 may provide information to the advertiser with respect togenerating an ad campaign (e.g., a television commercial campaign).Examples of such information may include demographics, monetary budget,desired time, and/or broadcast network program.

Additionally, GUI 3604 may receive information from the advertiserpertaining to desired/selected ad campaigns. For example, an informationcontent provider may choose to display certain ads to a particularviewing audience at a given time of day. The advertiser may also wish toenter a maximum budget and/or a cost per ad impression (i.e., deliveredad, although typically measured in cost per thousand, or “CPM”).Generally, the cost associated with the ad may be set by the MSO afternegotiation. The advertiser may enter this information into GUI 3604such that processor 3602 may, among other things, transfer theinformation to traffic/billing system 3610 via interface 3603.

Interface 3603 may be configured for providing communications betweenadvertiser interface 3601 and traffic/billing system 3610. For example,interface 3603 may communicatively couple to interface 3611 oftraffic/billing system 3610 via communication link 3615. Communicationlink 3615 may be an Internet link as is used to transport communicationsvia Internet protocol (e.g., TCP/IP). As such, GUI 3604 may beconfigured as an applet that operates within a Web browser, such asMicrosoft's Internet Explorer. In such an embodiment, GUI 3604 maydownload information from traffic/billing system 3610 that enables anadvertiser to manage an ad campaign.

The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to a particulartype of communications between the advertiser and traffic/billing system3610. For example, communication link 3615 may be a server connectionand/or a virtual private network connection. In such an embodiment, GUI3604 may be associated with a customized software application thatallows communications between the advertiser and traffic/billing system3610. The software application may be controlled by instructions 3614stored with storage element 3613 of traffic/billing system 3610. Forexample, instructions 3614 may direct processor 3612 to deliver anapplication to advertiser interface 3601 such that GUI 3604 is displayedtherewith.

Processor 3612 may also be configured for controlling billing operationsfor an advertiser. For example, processor 3612 may communicate with anoperations center. The operations center may convey informationpertaining to delivered ads of a particular campaign that the advertiserhas entered with traffic/billing system 3610 (i.e., via GUI 3604). Basedon this information of content segment traffic, processor 3612 maygenerate costs associated with delivered ads (e.g., impressions). Assuch, a bill may be generated for the advertiser and delivered to theprovider via communication link 3615 or other means, such as traditionalmailing, email and/or withdrawal from a deposit account. Preferably,however, billing is performed by the MSO. In that regard, processor 3612may present the information to the MSO such that a bill may be generatedfor the advertiser.

In the context of location targeting, billing boundaries may beconsidered in relation to specified location zones for ad (or otherasset) targeting. The traffic/billing system 3610 generally covers adefined geographic area. This area may include a number of designatedmarket areas (DMAs) used for audience measurement and other purposes andmay define a complex shape, e.g., including discontiguous segments. Thatis, the system 3610 typically will generate bills for advertisers basedon dissemination of ads for the defined geographic area. If theadvertiser wishes to disseminate an ad on a broader basis, this can beaccomplished by establishing multiple contracts with multiple systemsthat generate multiple bills. In some cases, an advertiser may wish totarget ads to a zone that extends across a traffic/billing systemboundary. This can be accommodated in a number of ways. For example, thelocation targeting logic may be implemented such that an advertisercannot define a zone that extends across a traffic/billing systemboundary. Consequently, an advertiser desiring to define a zoneextending across such a boundary can establish multiple contracts withmultiple systems, each of which includes location targeting informationdefining a portion of the desired targeting zone.

Alternatively, the location targeting logic can allow an advertiser todefine a targeting zone extending across a traffic/billing systemboundary. In such a case, the logic could cause multiple bills to begenerated corresponding to the multiple traffic/billing systemsimplicated. As a further alternative, the location targeting logic couldcause a single bill to be generated in such cases for the advertiser'sconvenience. In this regard, separate network operators associated withthe separate traffic/billing systems may settle accounts in relation tosuch billings. It will be appreciated that an interface between theseparate traffic/billing systems may be defined to accommodate suchfunctionality.

FIG. 28B is exemplary GUI 3604 of targeted content interfaceconfiguration 3600 of FIG. 28A. In this embodiment, GUI 3604 provides aresource that enables the advertiser to initiate an advertisingcampaign. For example, an advertiser may wish to generate an ad campaignfor commercial breaks within broadcast network content (e.g., televisioncommercial breaks). GUI 3604 allows the advertiser to generate the adcampaign for ads by entering certain campaign parameters (e.g., cost perimpression 3636, billing information 3637, maximum cost per impression3639, campaign dates 3642, and/or various demographic information 3631).Costs associated with each ad may be negotiated with the MSO prior tothe ad campaign.

An advertiser may provide ads to a system that targets the ads tocertain CPEs, such as CPEs 2810 described hereinabove. For example, anadvertiser may provide ads to an ad server. The advertiser may thenestablish desired delivery attributes (e.g., demographic information3631, such as age, gender, income, and/or time of day) for delivery forthe ads via GUI 3604. That is, the advertiser may associate variousattributes of CPE users to ads such that the ads are deliveredaccordingly (e.g., based on votes cast by the CPEs as describedhereinabove). Additionally, the advertiser may include informationregarding the maximum cost per impression (e.g., maximum cost perdelivered ad) and/or duration of the ad campaigns.

GUI 3604 may be implemented as an interfacing application delivered, forexample, to the advertiser by a server based system (e.g.,traffic/billing system 3610). Alternatively, GUI 3604 may be implementedas a web site in which an advertiser interfaces through, for example, aWeb browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer. In either case, GUI3604 may provide information to traffic/billing system 3610 regardingcertain campaign information (e.g., demographics, billing information,etc.). Similarly, GUI 3604 may provide information to advertiserregarding costs associated with the ad campaigns. For example, GUI 3604may receive information from traffic/billing system 3610 regarding thenumber of impressions (e.g., deliveries of ads to individual CPEs) andthe costs associated with those impressions.

While one embodiment has been shown and described herein, those skilledin the art should readily recognize that the invention is not intendedto be limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, GUI 3604 maybe implemented in other ways that fall within the scope and spirit ofthe invention. Those skilled in the art are familiar with implementingsuch interfaces in a variety of ways.

FIG. 28C illustrates GUI 3645 in an alternative embodiment to GUI 3604.In this embodiment, GUI 3645 incorporates audience estimationinformation. For example, a system used for targeting ads to CPEs, suchas system 2800 of FIG. 28, may estimate the number of audience membersbased on CPE usage. This audience estimation may be incorporated intoGUI 3645 such that an advertiser may designate where ads should bedelivered as well as budget for delivered ads.

GUI 3645 may enable the advertiser to select various features thatcorrespond to audience members. For example, the advertiser may input acertain audience profile based on gender 3650, income level 3651, age3652, geographic region 3653 (e.g., zip code, city, suburb,neighborhood, individual dwelling, state or custom location zone asdescribed above, etc.), as well as other parameters (e.g., channelinclusion 3656, channel exclusion 3657, program exclusion 3655, etc.) todesignate delivery of a particular ad. Based on these parameters, thesystem may estimate an “audience universe” (e.g., a number of audiencemembers fitting that profile) and allocate a cost for the ad. Audienceestimation is shown and described below.

Initially, the advertiser may enter a certain audience profile accordingto various audience parameters age 3652, income level 3651, gender 3650,etc. The parameters of program exclusion 3655 may enable the advertiserto exclude various programs, or broadcast network content. For example,by entering a certain broadcast network content program title, theadvertiser may deselect insertion of an ad from that broadcast networkcontent program.

Similarly, individual network channels may be included (i.e., channelinclusion 3656) or excluded (i.e., channel exclusion 3657) by the entryof certain channel information within designated fields. Such may enablethe advertiser to designate which channels receive ads. For example, anadvertiser wishing to deliver ads relating to lingerie would likely notwish to deliver such content segments to viewers watching children'sprogramming. As such, the advertiser may use GUI 3645 to exclude suchads from viewers of the children's programming. In a similar fashion,the ad provider may wish to include certain other channels that would bepreferential for a particular ad campaign. For example, the ad providermay wish to deliver ads relating to men's shaving products (e.g.,shaving cream, razors, etc.) to viewers of a sports network.

In addition to the audience selection parameters mentioned, GUI 3645 mayinclude other parameters that an advertiser may use to generate acampaign of ads. For example, the advertiser may select days of the week3660 and the number of weeks 3661 in which the ads are to be deliveredto the designated audience profile. In this regard, advertiser may alsoselect the start and end dates 3662 and the start and end times 3663 ofthe selected days. As well, the advertiser may select the frequency 3659during this campaign in which the ads are to be delivered to thedesignated audience profile.

Optional features may include “skipping” certain times in which the adsare to be delivered. For example, an advertiser may desire delivery ofan ad during a certain week while skipping other weeks within a campaignstart date and end date. The advertiser may therefore enter the weeks tobe skipped in the skip weeks field 3664.

The system may also use these selected campaign parameters to estimatethe audience universe. For example, the system may retrieve a prioriinformation corresponding to entered campaign parameters. That is, thesystem may retrieve the number of audience members using CPEs at timesthat correspond to the campaign parameters. For example, the system maydevelop such predictive information based on prior voting and reportinformation. As discussed above, the system has access to a large volumeof information, based on such voting and reports, regarding audiencesize and composition that is indexed to programming channel and time.Accordingly, the system is well equipped to estimate the audienceuniverse. Indeed, in many respects, the system has capabilities thatexceed traditional ratings based systems. This information may bedisplayed in audience universe estimate 3658. Additionally, GUI 3645 mayinclude cost allocation parameters for which the system may generatebills for the advertiser. For example, each ad within a given campaignmay have a “cost per impression” 3665. As such, the system may use anaudience universe estimate 3658 and multiply the cost per impression foran individual ad to estimate a total cost for a given ad campaign.Generally, though, the price of an ad is based on a universe estimate(i.e., number of audience members) times a frequency of the ad times thecost of the ad.

Other information for GUI 3645 may include items such as clientidentification 3667 and the particular market 3668 for the client. Forexample, a company such as a computer hardware manufacturer may beidentified as a high technology company desiring to display ads to acertain group of consumers, such as college-educated individuals betweenthe ages of 28 and 42. A company representative may use GUI 3645 totailor an ad campaign that delivers ads relating to such hardware thatenhances delivery of such ads to the desired audience. The system maytherefore use the market information as a “filter” for certain broadcastnetwork channels having at least a viewership component that matches adesired audience. In this regard, aggregation of CPE users may beachieved.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of exemplary targeted content interface process3700. In this embodiment, an interface is provided for an assetprovider, in process element 3701. For example, a system used fortargeting ads to CPEs, such as system 2800 of FIG. 28, may provide acommunicative interface, such as GUT 3604 of FIG. 36B to an advertiser.With the communicative interface, the advertiser may communicateinformation pertaining to campaigns for selected ads. That is,advertiser may provide user attributes to be associated with ads. Theprovider may also provide account/billing information such that costsassociated with campaigns may be provided thereto.

The system may receive the information about the ads from the interface,in process element 3702. The system may then associate information withthe ads of the advertiser, in process element 3703. For example, suchinformation may include demographic attributes (e.g., age, gender,income level, location of CPE or STB etc.) of desired targets. As such,the system may target delivery of the ads based: on the information, inprocess element 3704. That is, the system may provide ads in connectionwith broadcast network content as described hereinabove (e.g., ondedicated asset channels, in the programming channel, etc.).

The system many deliver the broadcast network content and ads to CPEs,which select appropriate ads. For example, attributes of CPE users maybe inferred and matched to targeting criteria for an ad. As such, onegroup of CPE users may receive broadcast content associated with a firstad while a second group of CPE users receive broadcast contentassociated with a second ad (e.g., that differs from the first ad).Regardless, each ad that is delivered to a CPE user may be deemed animpression. The CPEs, upon delivering the ad, may report back to thesystem that the segment was delivered. As such, the system may determinethe number of target impressions delivered, in process element 3705.

Based on the number of impressions, the system may associate costs withads, in process element 3706. For example, each ad may have apredetermined cost associated with the segment. The total cost for thead campaign is therefore the number of impressions times the associatedcost per impression. This information may then be communicated to theadvertiser such that payment can be made.

The interface may also include elements for specifying a targeted area.As noted above, the present system allows for great flexibility indesignating a targeted area and, in particular, is not limited tobroadcast network topology. While this allows for improved targeting, italso entails certain complications related to the definition of thetargeted area. Some areas corresponding to existing demarcations may beeasily defined, such as by identifying towns, neighborhoods, zip codesor the like. For example, particular advertisers may wish to targetgeographical areas that are not specifically defined in relation to theadvertiser's business or business location, e.g., uptown Manhattan, thetri-state area, the District of Columbia, congressional districts, etc.Such geographical zones may be predefined for selection by an advertiserin relation to the interface. Similarly, other geographical zones, notnecessarily being recognized outside of the system, may be predefinedfor selection by an advertiser in relation to the interface. Forexample, based on demographic analysis or intelligence developed throughad contracting, vote tallying and delivery report analysis, the systemmay develop predefined (in relation to a given ad contract process)zones having characteristics of potential interest to classes ofadvertisers, e.g., luxury consumer zones, senior citizen zones, studentzones, discount shopper zones or young professional zones. Such zonesmay also be defined based on external databases of purchasing and othertransaction information, e.g., compiled, at least in part, based oncredit card transactions. Similarly, geographically defined zones may becorrelated to audience size and classification such that, if anadvertiser wishes to target 100,000 females between ages 18-34, this maybe accomplished based on geographic targeting without requiring anygeographic expertise. Additionally, other areas may be defined byentering a small amount of information, for example, a location (e.g.,of a retail outlet) and a proximity parameter (e.g., a 5 mile radius).In such cases, the interface elements used to specify the locationcriteria may include text boxes, drop down menus and the like.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that definition of location zones isnot limited to such a graphical user interface. For example, in somecases, it may be convenient to define a geographical zone by loading oraccessing a customer or other mailing list or otherwise by reference toan external data source or file. In this regard, each address on amailing list may define a segment of a composite geographical zone orany location element (e.g., a grid cell as discussed in more detailbelow) having a least a preselected number of hits from a mailing listmay be flagged for inclusion in a geographical zone. Similarly, in thecase of defining a zone by way of a radius from a business outlet orother location, such a definition, as noted above, may simply involve anaddress and a radius and can easily be provided by phone (e.g., to salespersonnel of the network operator) or other means.

However, in other cases, an asset provider may wish to target a customor arbitrary (in relation to network topology) geographical area. Thepresent invention provides a system for targeting assets to geographicalareas in a manner that is independent of network topology. In oneimplementation, the system includes asset filtering at the CPE level inrelation to the location of the CPE. Alternatively, assets may beaddressed to CPEs on a CPE-by-CPE basis or other basis not limited tonetwork topology. As such, the system may target individual CPEs, groupsof CPEs or geographical areas, in a manner that is independent of thenetwork topology. Such targeting may be facilitated by a graphical userinterface, including a map, such that the user can draw the target areain relation to the map, e.g., using a touch screen, a mouse, a stylus ora drawing tool. Such a map may allow for zooming in or zooming out toaccommodate fine or coarse area definition. These inputs may then beprocessed to translate the inputs into an internal format, for example,using a hierarchy of defined area elements. For example, FIG. 30includes a number of streets 4102-4103 that are included in a ZIP code4106 that is in turn included with a number of other ZIP codes 4108-4109within a region 4112. Such information regarding subscribers associatedwith the STBs may be obtained from an MSO. Because the system usesinformation from the MSO, it is capable of distributing ads to thecorrect region, ZIP code, or street.

Furthermore, the system may comprise (on a lower level) individualstreet addresses. However, it may be desired to generalize suchinformation, e.g., to a block centroid, so that sensitive information isnot available to advertisers or other parties to whom a subscriber maynot want the information released. Similarly, the geographical areacorresponding to the coverage of a traffic/billing system of otheruniverse of location available for targeting may be divided intopredefined subsets, e.g., grid elements. In this manner, the size of thegrid elements may be selected to accommodate a desired level oftargeting granularity. The size of the grid elements may also beselected so as to provide privacy protection in relation to the locationinformation employed, e.g., so that location information can be conveyedin the form of a grid element identity, which is not personallyidentifiable or specific to any particular person/household. Moreover,such granularity is readily scalable (e.g., by changing the cell size orcombining cells) to conform to any regulations that may apply withrespect to a given jurisdiction.

The chart 4100 in FIG. 31 is an example of a hierarchical geographyclassification. Although the chart 4100 and elements (e.g., streets4102-4103, ZIP codes 4106, 4108, 4109, region 4112) are shown herehaving a hierarchical structure, those skilled in the art should readilyrecognize that the invention is not intended to be limited to theillustrated embodiment. Rather, the geographical elements or structuresmay be represented in a number of possible alternate structures. Forexample, it may be convenient to utilize census divisions such asblocks, block groups, census tracts, metro areas, etc. Similarly,political divisions such as counties, wards, precincts, congressionaldistricts and the like may be utilized.

For example, as shown in FIG. 31A, a geographical region, such as theState of New York, may be represented by a grid of coordinates 4202. Thegrid of coordinates 4202 may be viewed by an asset provider on a GUIdisplayed on a computer screen 4204. The asset provider may then selecta region of an arbitrary shape (e.g., rectangle 4206, circles 4208 and4210) on the grid to represent his preference for geographical targetingof an asset. It should be noted that the shapes of the targeted regionsmay be arbitrary and may include areas that are not part of the grid(e.g., the circles 4208 and 4210 include some of the states ofConnecticut and New Jersey). Areas not part of the grid may be discardedor may be applied to another grid. Because the system is independent ofnetwork topology considerations such as locations of nodes or locationsserved by headends, the targeted areas may include areas served bymultiple parts of the network or by other networks, and may exclude manyother parts of the network(s). Furthermore, the areas selected by theasset provider may be areas that are deemed to be inclusion areas orexclusion areas, respectively selecting those areas for asset deliveryor selecting those areas to which the asset should not be delivered. Forexample, circle 4208 may be an inclusion area and 4210 may be anexclusion area, allowing an asset provider to target an annular regionthat is within a range of distances from a central location.

The targeting system may be implemented such that a network operator orother party is able to place limitations on the targeting zones that maybe defined. For example, the network operator may wish to place minimumor maximum size limits on zones or may wish to limit zone shapes to acertain set of predefined shapes (e.g., to avoid the need for cumbersomezone definitions). Such limitations can be effected in any appropriatemanner such as by providing error messages when a limit is violated orenabling selection of zones only from among “legal” shape options.Moreover, the location targeting functionality or all targetingfunctionality may be excluded from certain geographic areas, e.g.,school campuses, corporate campuses, retirement communities, etc. Suchexclusions may be implemented in connection with a graphical userinterface as discussed above.

The coordinate system shown in FIG. 31A is a Cartesian coordinatesystem, however, many other coordinate systems may also be usedseparately or in combination. For example a radial coordinate systemcould determine distances from particular landmarks as well as arcs andcircles. Additionally, shapes may be used that correspond to realfeatures as well as arbitrary shapes. For example, the boundaries ofcounty lines, major roadways, streams and lakes, or other usefuldelineations may be used in defining the shapes available to assetproviders for defining a target geographical area.

Any appropriate coordinate system and associated projection methodologymay be employed in connection with defining location zones and CPE orother user equipment device locations. That is, the interface notedabove involves representation of an area of the Earth's surface on atwo-dimensional screen. As is well known, any projection of the Earth'ssurface onto a flat surface will involve some distortion of the truetopology of the Earth's surface. Cartographers have developed manydifferent projection techniques to address this problem, and differentones of these techniques have difference relative advantages in relationto preserving properties of shapes (over a localized area), preservingdirection, preserving distances, etc. Accordingly, the coordinate systemand projection technique may be selected to preserve any qualitiesdeemed important to a network operator or advertisers.

Several practical considerations mitigate the affects of projectiondistortion in the noted application. First, distortion affects becomemore pronounced as the size of the area to be mapped increases. Theseoffsets typically are not linear, and modeling them can involve complexmathematics. However, over small areas, linear approximations can beused with little error. In the context of targeted advertising, it isexpected that accuracy will be most crucial when targeting zones aresmall and will be less crucial when targeting in course. Consequently,for many targeted advertising applications, it is expected that manydifferent coordinate systems and projection techniques will yieldadequate results and such selection may be based on other considerationssuch as reducing computational complexity and processing resources. Inthis regard, it is expected that typical targeted advertisingapplications will require resolution no more fine than that required toidentify a residence and, in many cases, groups of residences orneighborhoods. As a result, it is expected that distortion errors on theorder of 10 meters will generally have little or no impact, and, in somecases, errors will be tolerable at least until they are well in excessof 100 meters.

In addition, cable markets typically exist within a narrow range oflatitudes. Mapping models can take advantage of this assumption, sincedistortion with certain common projections increases with distance fromthe equator. Extreme polar latitudes are unlikely to be critical in manytargeted advertising applications. In consideration of all of the above,it is expected that a conventional planar projection onto a Cartesiancoordinate grid will be suitable for many targeted advertisingapplications. In particular, such a projection can be executed inrelation to a cylindrical coordinate system where the axis of thecylinder extends through the Earth's poles. Such a projection isexpected to have adequate accuracy for the noted applications, whileadvantageously allowing for simple processing and requiring minimalprocessing resources to implement location comparison algorithms asdescribed below. However, it is anticipated that other coordinatesystems and projections may be preferred for certain targetedadvertising applications.

It should be noted that the same coordinate system and projectionprocesses need not be used for all purposes in the targeted advertisingsystem. For example, as noted above, a cylindrical coordinate system maybe used to define a planar projection map for a user interface. Thisdoes not mean that if an advertiser wishes to target a circular areadefined by a point and a radius that the targeted area must be distortedfrom a circular area relative to the Earth's surface (sphericalprojection) to reflect the distortion inherent in the noted cylindricalprojection. That is, the circular area may be defined as a true circlein relation to the Earth's surface (in which case it would appeardistorted on the user interface), or it may be defined as an imperfectcircle in relation to the Earth's surface in order to appear as a truecircle on the user interface. In one implementation, it has been decidedto define circular geographic advertising zones as true circles inrelation to the Earth's surface, resulting in slightly imperfect circlerepresentations on the user interface. This is believed to moreaccurately reflect the desires of the advertisers who define such zones.

Moreover, different platforms of the system may define geographic zonesin different ways. For example, a user equipment device may expedientlycompare its location to a circular zone defined by a point and a radius.In a particular implementation, another network platform, such as aheadend or a traffic and billing system platform, may represent thatzone as a distorted circle (due to a projection process) or as a set ofrectangular cells approximating the circular zone. Translation betweenthese different representations of a given area may be implementedautomatically. In addition, the error resulting from this translationprocess can be precisely determined and correlated to numbers withaffected network users. Those users can even be identified if desired.It is therefore expected that projection related errors can be minimizedand, if desired, can be addressed by appropriate logic.

While the noted graphical user interface provides a useful mechanism foruse in defining geographical zones, it will be appreciated that manylocation targeting objectives can be satisfied without using such aninterface. For example, many advertisers desire to advertise based oncensus divisions, political divisions, proximity to a retail outlet orother geographical bases that do not require graphical mapping. In suchcases, the divisions may be identified directly or other information maybe input directly without using a graphical interface as describedabove. For example, such information may be transferred as data files,textual inputs, dialogue box inputs, drop-down menu selections, etc.

In addition, a network platform such as a headend may direct a headendto select an asset or a type of asset for delivery. This may be based oncertain information denoted “marketing labels” above. Such marketinglabels may be used to implement location-based targeting in place of, orin addition to, the criteria noted above. This can be implemented in atleast three ways. First, marketing labels can be used as describedabove, and then any suitable location targeting methodology can beapplied as described herein. Thus, for example, a location zone may bedefined by an advertiser on a graphical user interface, and the zonedefinition may be conveyed to CPEs. In addition, marketing labels may beused to direct appropriate CPEs (e.g., owners of a particular make ofautomobile) to select an asset. The result may be that the union orintersection of the two sets (CPEs within the location zone and/or CPEsidentified as owners of a particular make or automobile) may deliver theasset in question.

Second, a location zone may be used as a marketing label. Thus, forexample, a zip code, address list, or other custom zone may be definedas described above. All CPEs within the zone may be identified andassociated with the marketing label. The marketing label can then beused to direct the associated CPEs to select an asset that is likewiseassociated with the marketing label (e.g., as an asset targetingcriterion).

Finally, location information may be combined with other criteria todefine a single marketing label. Thus, all CPEs that are, for example,within a geographic zone (e.g., a dealership area) and/or that satisfy anon-location targeting criterion (e.g., own a particular make ofautomobile) may be associated with a market label used to target assets.In this manner, multi-criteria targeting can be directed from thenetwork without individually addressing assets to CPEs.

B. CPE Location Information

As noted above, in one implementation, voting and/or ad deliverydecisions are based on a comparison of the targeting location criteriato the location of the CPE. Thus, in this implementation, the CPE knowsits location. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Forexample, the CPE location can be programmed into the CPE before the CPEis provided to the network user. However, this may be cumbersome, doesnot address equipment already in the field and does not accommodatemoving of equipment.

Alternatively, CPE location information may be provisioned from a sourceexternal to the network. For example, the CPE or subscriber may access aGeographical Information System (GIS) or other site to obtaingeographical coordinates corresponding to a street address of the CPE.However, as will be discussed below, it may be preferred to storelocation information at the CPE in a format other than geographicalcoordinates.

In still other cases, the CPE or other user equipment device may becapable of determining its position. For example, a variety of personalcomputing devices (including certain cell phones or portable hard drivebased devices) have or may soon have GPS or other positioning systemcapabilities. Additionally, some devices may be positioned via telephonysystem technologies such as cell ID, cell sector, microcell, TDOA, AOA,aGPS, etc. Moreover, a number of systems have been proposed or developedfor locating IP devices, for example, in connection with positioningVOIP devices to meet government regulations for routing of emergencycalls to PSAPs and otherwise providing device location information.Accordingly, user equipment device location information may be obtainedin various ways involving various communications pathways.

FIG. 34A illustrates a location provisioning system 4500 aid associatedprocess wherein CPE location is provided through the broadcast network.The process is initiated by transmission (4501) of a CPE identificationfrom the CPE 4502 to the targeting system 4504. The targeting system4504 may be resident at a headend, at a separate platform and/or may bedistributed over multiple platforms. The targeting system 4504 transmits(4503) the CPE ID to an MSO who can correlate the CPE ID to a streetaddress of the associated network user. This street address is provided(4505) back to the targeting system 4504.

It will be appreciated that this address may be directly related to agrid element or region used by the targeting system 4504. However, inthe illustrated implementation, the address is transmitted (4507) to aGIS platform 4508, which returns (4509) corresponding geographicalcoordinates or a geocode.

This geocode may then be transmitted (4511) to the CPE 4502. However, itmay be preferred to provide processed location information to the CPE.For example, the geocode may be generalized (e.g., to the coordinates)to avoid use of personally identifiable information. Alternatively, thegeocode may be correlated to a grid structure used for specifying targetlocation criteria. In this regard, the format of the CPE locationinformation provisioned by the targeting system 4504 may be a functionof the methodology employed to match CPE location information to thetargeting location criteria as described below.

FIG. 34B illustrates an alternative system 4520 for provisioninglocation information. In this case, a user equipment device 4526 iscapable of determining its own position. Specifically, in theillustrated embodiment, the device 4526 obtains location informationbased on signals 4521 from a satellite based location system 4522.Although only a single satellite is illustrated, it will be appreciatedthat determining location information generally involves contact with atleast three satellites for two-dimensional location information and foursatellites for three-dimensional location information (includingaltitude). As noted above, it may be desired to express the devicelocation information in terms of a grid element or the like rather thanin terms of a raw geocode. Such a grid is not limited to a Cartesiancoordinate system but may be defined in relation to any coordinatesystem. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, location information 4523is transmitted from the device 4526 to the targeting system 4524. Suchlocation information 4523 may be encrypted or transmitted in componentform to address privacy concerns. The targeting system 4524 receives thelocation information 4523 and provides processed location information4525 back to the device 4526. For example, the targeting system 4524 maymatch coordinates to a cell of a grid or otherwise correlate thelocation information 4523 to the process location information 4525.Alternatively, this matching of the raw location information toprocessed location information may be performed by location processinglogic 4528 resident on the user equipment device 4526.

FIG. 34C shows a further alternative system 4530 for provisioninglocation information regarding a user equipment device 4536. In thiscase, the targeting system 4534 obtains location information 4535 from alocation platform 4532. For example, the location platform 4532 may be alocation gateway of a mobile telephone network. Such a location platform4532 may receive location input from a variety of sources. Thus, forexample, the platform 4532 may receive mobile device inputs 4531 frommobile devices capable of determining their own position as well astelephony network inputs 4533 from any of a variety of network basedpositioning systems as discussed above. The location information of 4535may be provided, for example, in the form of geographical coordinatestogether with an uncertainty. The targeting system 4534, as above,expresses the location information 4535 in terms of a grid cell or otherlocation identifier used for purposes of the targeted advertisingsystem. This process location information 4537 is provided to the userequipment device 4536.

It will be appreciated that it may be desired to occasionally updatelocation information for a user equipment device. The frequency ofupdating such information may be a function of the type of userequipment device. Thus, for example, in the case of stationary customerpremises equipment, it may be sufficient to update device location onlyupon a change of address of the subscriber. Thus, the targeting systemmay receive an address change notification for a particular device and,in response, push updated location information to the user equipmentdevice. In the case of mobile devices such as mobile telephones andportable hard drive based devices, location information may need to beupdated more frequently. Thus, in the case of mobile telephones, alocation platform may receive updated location information on a periodicbasis, in response to a polling process, a power-on signal, a cellhand-off procedure or the like. The targeting system may register withthe location platform to receive such updates as they become availableor may otherwise request updates on a periodic basis. In the case ofuser equipment devices capable of determining their own positions,position information may be updated continually. Alternatively, suchdevices may report location information to the targeting system andreceive processed location information periodically or upon determiningthat updated location information is needed due to a change in positiondetermined by monitoring raw location information. In any event, oncethe device location information is obtained at the user equipment deviceby one of these techniques, the device location can be compared totargeting criteria, as described below.

A variety of other mechanisms can be used for providing locationinformation to the user equipment devices. For example, a user equipmentdevice may query a network platform to obtain the device's location byentering a MAC address or other identifier. Alternatively, the networkmay periodically push a table of device location information, e.g.,indexed to MAC addresses or other device identifiers, to networkdevices. In this case, individual devices may access the table, retrievethe relevant information and then discard the table so as to avoidpersistent storage of extraneous information. As a further alternative,an installer or other person may carry a GPS or other locating deviceand load location information into the device. Any suitable process forproviding the location information may be utilized in this regard.

C. Location Matching

The CPE or other user equipment device can then use its stored locationinformation to identify appropriate assets, e.g., in a voting context oras part of an ad delivery decision. In the present implementation, thisinvolves a comparison of the CPE location information to the locationtargeting criteria specified by the metadata associated with an asset.Any appropriate comparison technique can be employed in this regard. Forexample, in the case of an ad targeted to CPEs within a given radius ofa specified location, the distance between the CPE location and thespecified location can be compared to the given radius. Such acomparison can be executed according to the following equation:(x _(d) −x _(c))²+(y _(d) −y _(c))² <r ²

where x_(d) and y_(d) are the coordinates of the device, x_(c) and y_(c)are the center coordinates of the specified location, and r is thespecified radius. The coordinates may be absolute geocode coordinates orreference coordinates for a grid element.

If the location targeting criteria defines a polygon, a variety ofpoint-in-polygon algorithms can be employed. For example, in the case ofa square, the location of the device x_(d), y_(d) may be compared to thelocations of two diagonally opposed vertices (x_(v1),y_(v1) andx_(v2)<y_(v2)), where x_(v1)<x_(v2) AND y_(v1)<y_(v2), as follows:x _(v1) <x _(d) <x _(v2) AND y _(v1) <y _(d) <y _(v2)

Similar logical constraints can be defined for other polygons. For theseor more complex shapes, a boundary can be expressed mathematically. Aray can then be defined extending from the CPE location (e.g., from theCPE location north to the traffic/billing system boundary).Intersections between the ray and boundary can be identified such thatan odd number of intersections indicates an in-zone status, and an evennumber of intersections indicates an out-of-zone status. Furtherexamples of point-in-polygon algorithms and specific implementationsthereof can be found in Haines, Eric, “Point in Polygon Strategies,” inGraphics Gems IV, Paul Heckbert (editor), Academic Press, 1994, ISBN0123361559, which is incorporated herein by reference.

As a further alternative, a quadtree data structure, hierarchical griddata format or the like may be used to efficiently define target areas.Thus, for example, the broadcast network service area may be dividedinto four quadrants. Each of these quadrants may be divided intoquadrants, and so on, until the desired level of location granularity isdefined. The finest level of granularity is the lowest or first level ofthe data structure. At the second level, each element is composed offour elements of the first level and so on. This structure can then beused to define a target area. For example, grid elements included in atarget area may be flagged in the mapping logic. If all four level 1grid elements corresponding to a given level 2 element are flagged, thenthe level 2 element is flagged and the level 1 elements are unflagged.The same applies at higher levels. This allows for efficient definitionof complex shapes.

This is illustrated in FIG. 31B where a portion of boundaries 4208 and4210 from FIG. 31A are shown. The area included within the boundaries4208 and 4210 of the illustrated segment is approximated by level 1elements 4240, level 2 elements 4242, level 3 elements 4244, level 4elements 4246 and level 5 elements 4248. At the boundary, whether anelement is flagged can be determined by one or more rules, such as theelement must be wholly within the boundary or a majority of the elementmust be within the boundary.

In this manner, any area—even complex areas or areas composed ofdiscontiguous elements—can be efficiently defined and can be defined inrelation to a common grid structure. Moreover, such complex areas can berepresented compactly, thus reducing the amount of data that must betransmitted across the network. As described above, each CPE can knowits position in terms of its corresponding element at each level of thegrid structure. Matching a CPE location to a targeted zone then simplyinvolves finding a match of a CPE location element to a target zoneelement at any level of the grid structure. Moreover, it will beappreciated that, due to the geometric nature of this grid structure,the entire area of a broadcast network can be defined to a fine level ofgranularity with few grid levels.

As depicted in FIG. 33, the GUI 4400 used to specify location targetingcriteria may be configured to provide an asset provider with feedbackabout the audience size within the selected area. The GUI 4400 may,therefore, provide a total audience universe estimate 4404 next to thegeographical grid 4406 for the asset provider to view while makingselections. The GUI 4400, in this example, calculates an anticipatedaudience size based on the geographical area selected, thereby providingan asset provider with a gauge of how expensive a particularadvertisement campaign may be. Other filters may be included in the GUI4400 to allow the asset provider to determine, for example, the numberof males 4408 between the ages of 25 and 34 (e.g., 4410) within thegeographical areas selected. Therefore, the GUI 4400 may providefeedback of the potential audience universe 4404 within a particulargeographical area at any level of audience classification desired.

Moreover, the GUI 4400 may include other information to assistadvertisers in developing a targeting model. Thus, for example, the GUI4400 may include information identifying population concentrations,concentrations of particular demographic groups, predefined locationzones and the like. For example, this information may be based on censusdata, data from databases collecting credit card transaction and/orother purchasing decision information, etc. This information may bepresented in any appropriate form such as color coding, legends, text,etc. Moreover, the information may be accessed in interactive fashion.Thus an advertiser wishing to identify concentrations of a particulardemographic group, a particular neighborhood or zip codes may entercorresponding information via pull-down menus, a “where are they?”dialog box or other appropriate input devices.

After the asset provider has inputted information relating to a targetedgeographical area, the GUI 4400 or software presenting the targetingapplication forwards the information describing the grid location, size,and type of each shape to the ad buying/data management system 4220.This information is converted into geometry metadata (e.g., identifyinggrid (FIG. 31A) elements, coordinates defining a polygon, a point andradius, etc.) and the ad buying/data management system associates thisgeometry metadata with a particular ad from the ad database 4224. The adbuying/data management system 4220 creates metadata from the particularad in the ad database 4224 and transmits it with the geometry metadatathrough the delivery network 4228 to the CPE 4232 (e.g., in an ad listsubmitted prior to transmission of the ad or metadata submitted togetherwith the ad). Because the delivery network may be a broadcast network,some CPEs 4232 may receive ad metadata and geometry metadata that is notappropriate for that particular CPE 4232. The delivery network may ormay not employ filtering within a network such as headend filtering ornode switching as described above. In the illustrated embodiment, theCPE 4232 receives the ad metadata and processes it with respect to knownlocation parameters stored inside the CPE 4232. Thus, the CPE 4232performs an CPE-level filtering.

The CPE-level filtering, as discussed above, may depend on the type ofmetadata provided by the ad buying/data management system. For example,the geometry metadata provided may include two corners defining arectangle 4206. The CPE 4232 may construct a set of coordinates withinthe rectangle 4206 that are included in the rectangle 4206. Assumingthat the rectangle 4206 defines an area to be included in the deliveryarea, the CPE 4232 may then determine whether its coordinates(represented by the coordinates 4234) lie within a set of coordinatesdefined by the rectangle 4232. Similarly, the metadata sent by the adbuying/data management system may include points defining a trapezoid orother polygon. Another type of metadata may include a point and a radiusdefining a circle (e.g., 4208 and 4210). The central coordinate pair maycorrespond to automotive dealership, sporting/events center or othercentral location of interest to the asset provider. Geometry metadatamay include complex metadata such as the shapes described above or othermore complex shapes. Geometry metadata may also include a list of pointsor other forms of encoded lists such as a raster scan, Huffman coding,or run-length coding. Furthermore, as discussed above, the metadata mayidentify flagged elements at multiple levels of a quadtree datastructure. In addition, any combination of metadata may be included asasset providers may desire particular flexibility in determining atargeted area. Indeed, any manner of representing the targeted geographymay be included.

Additionally, an asset provider may be interested in designatingdifferent levels of fit required between the location of the CPE (e.g.,coordinates 4234) and the geometry metadata. For example, an assetprovider may require that an asset be delivered only if the CPE 4232 iswithin a particular county, but may be willing to pay a premium if theasset is delivered within a particular radius of their retail outlet. Inanother example, the asset provider may draw two circles such as 4208and 4210, defining a premium area with circle 4210 and a non-premiumarea 4208. Furthermore, multiple geometry metadata may includeoverlapping areas such as several contiguous counties, but may exclude acertain portion or portions of the multi-county area. In such a case,the criteria that must be met includes a location criterion of the CPE4232 being included in the multi-county area and a location criterion ofthe CPE 4232 being excluded from a particular region of that area, forthe asset to be delivered.

FIG. 32 depicts an exemplary block diagram 4300 of the code for an CPE4232. The CPE 4232 contains an area of code or software (e.g., blockdiagram 4300) and a CPE hardware interface 4302. The CPE 4232 mayperform targeting functions in manner that is consistent with the restof the system as herein described, such as through voting, determining agoodness of fit, delivery and reporting. For example, the CPE 4232 mayreceive an asset list (ADR file 4304) and determine a fit between alocation 4306 of the ADR 4305 and the location classification parameter4308 (e.g., stored location coordinates in the CPE). It will be noted,in this regard, that geography may be considered by the targeting systemin constructing asset lists. For example, if multiple headends aremanaged in a single targeting system, and an asset is targeted to ageographic zone that only overlaps a subset of those headends, thatasset may only be included in the asset lists disseminated by thatsubset of headends. The CPE 4232 may then provide a rank 4312 orgoodness of fit parameter relating to the ADR or asset list, and combinethis rank with ranks (e.g., ranks 4314 and 4316) determined based onother criteria and other classification parameters. The CPE 4232 maythen use these ranks to provide an ordered ADR list 4320, or an orderedasset list.

In relation to the ADRs, a CPE need not persistently store geographicaltargeting information. Specifically, a number of ads may includeinformation defining targeted geographical zones. This information, evenif expressed compactly, may include significant amounts of data. Toavoid unnecessary use of storage resources, this location informationcan be used to perform a matching function as described above and thendiscarded. This is, the location information can be accessed andcompared to the CPE location to determine whether or not there is amatch. In either case, the location information can be discarded.

These lists become part of an ADR pool 4324 from which the top ADRs 4326may be used to form a vote 4330. The vote 4330 may be provided to thebroadcast network by the CPE 4232 in a manner described above, such asthrough statistical voting sampling, or during an opportunistic time.The ADR pool 4324 may also be used by the CPE 4232 to select a path 4334or other plan of viewing assets during an avail window. During such anavail window, the CPE 4232 may navigate through an asset flotilla todeliver assets targeted to the CPE 4232 by asset providers. A viewlist4338 may be used by the CPE 4232 to compile a report that signifies aparticular asset was delivered 4340. An asset delivery notice (ADN 4344)may then be created and transmitted to the network by the CPE 4232.

The clickstream 4350 of a viewer is created when that viewer selectsprogramming or a channel on the CPE 4232 or otherwise provides volume orother inputs. The clickstream 4350 may be used along with informationabout programming demographics 4352 retrieved from a program guide file4354 to determine demographics such as age and gender of the viewerpresently watching the programming. Such a process is further describedabove. The set of viewer demographics may be used to determine a rank4316 of an ADR 4305 based on the viewer's fit to the age/gender 4356contained in the ADR 4305.

Furthermore, information inferred from the clickstream 4350 may also beincluded in the viewlist 4338. The CPE 4232 may use the viewlist 4338(as well as information from the ADR pool 4324) to construct a path4334. For example, the CPE 4232 may determine from the viewlist 4338that the viewer is presently watching a sports network and therefore maydetermine a particular path 4334 that is appropriate based on thepresent channel being watched.

Location may, in some instances be treated just as other classificationparameters are treated by the CPE 4232. For example, targetedclassifications may just as easily include location criteria as age,gender, or income criteria in a manner as described above. Thus, thelocation criteria may be treated interchangeably and analogously withother demographic, psychographic, or marketing criteria 4332.

Location criteria may also be treated differently from other criteria.For example, the location of the CPE 4232 may not change as often as thedemographics or psychographics of the user presently watching thetelevision set. In such a case, location information about the CPE 4232may be determined only periodically (e.g., a reboot of the CPE 4232),and may be stored by the CPE 4232 for quick reference, e.g., as ageographic coordinate pair or geocode or as a grid element identifier.In addition, if the CPE 4232 determines that a particular asset maynever be delivered by the CPE 4232 (e.g., because of a strict exclusionof the particular location classification parameter of the CPE 4232),the CPE 4232 may discard the asset metadata or ADR related to the assetand discontinue further inquiry into the goodness of fit of the otherclassification parameters of the CPE 4232 and/or the viewer.

The location parameters within the CPE 4232 may be used with any type ofasset delivery architecture, including forward and store architectures,asset channel navigation architectures, analog architectures, or anycombination thereof. For example, an CPE 4232 may store a first assetand/or ADR that is forwarded to it because a location parameter in theCPE 4232 matches a location criterion in the asset, regardless ofwhether the CPE 4232 is presently being watched, because it may often beassumed that the location parameter of the CPE 4232 does not changebetween uses of the CPE. Similarly, in advance of an asset flotillabeing presented to the CPE 4232, the CPE 4232 may know which assets inthe flotilla may or may not be delivered, regardless of who is using theCPE when the flotilla actually arrives. Location parameters of thetarget CPE 4232 may also be used when an asset or ADR is delivered forreal-time filtering of the asset or ADR. Therefore, location may be usedboth in a real-time manner as well as a non-real-time manner as a layerof filtering, and the particular nature of location criteria/foci andlocation parameters may be advantageously used by the system.

Location classification parameters 4308 may be stored by the CPE 4232for use in ranking an asset or an ADR 4305. The CPE 4232 may receivesuch location classification parameters 4308 from the network as aresponse to the CPE 4232 providing identification information. Onreceipt of the CPE identification information by an element within thenetwork (e.g., a customer database) the network may determine thelocation classification parameter 4308 from information stored in thedatabase. Such information may include the billing address of thecustomer. The location classification parameter 4308 preferably does notinclude any individually identifiable information or other sensitiveinformation. For example, the location classification parameter 4308 mayinclude a pair of coordinates on a grid (e.g., (Xn, Yn)) that correspondto multiple users or households. This grid may be a proprietary grid tofurther conceal any sensitive information in the location classificationparameter, or may be in more readily recognizable set of coordinatessuch as longitude and latitude. The location classification parameter4308 is sent through the network to the CPE 4232 where it is receivedand stored. Alternatively, the location classification parameter 4308may be included within a list of location classification parameters4348, and may be correlated with a list of CPE identifiers. This list4348 may be broadcast by the network so that an CPE 4232 may receive thelist 4348 and retrieve its own location classification parameter 4308.Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that other systems ormethods may be used to communicate with the CPE 4232 and provide the CPE4232 with its location classification parameter 4308.

When a CPE 4232 reports to the network a delivery of an asset through anADN 4344, or other form of notification of a particular asset delivery,the CPE 4232 may include information specific to the CPE 4232, includingthe location of the CPE 4232. However such a report may raise privacyconcerns as a subscriber may not wish for an advertiser, or anotherparty, to know that a particular subscriber was either targeted for suchan asset, or that such an asset was actually viewed. In this example,the subscriber may find it acceptable for the CPE 4232 to report throughthe ADN 4344 that an asset was successfully delivered to a CPE 4232 andviewer that met all of the classification parameters included with theasset (or otherwise provide goodness of fit information). Thus, theactual location or household where the asset was delivered does not needto be disclosed in the ADN 4344 or report, and sensitive informationdoes not need to be disclosed.

It will thus be appreciated that the location targeting functionalitycan be fully integrated with the functionality of the overall targetingsystem as described above. Targeting can thus be based on location andother classification parameters such as demographics. Moreover, locationtargeting can be implemented in connection with audience aggregation andspot optimization models, synchronous and forward-and-storearchitectures and with voting and reporting functionality. Especially inthis case of spot optimization (as is the case for other classificationparameters), voting need not always be executed for location targeting(e.g., where there is sufficient bandwidth to provide all asset optionsfor a spot within a given broadcast area). In such cases, the targetingcriteria can be provided together with the asset such that the devicecan select and deliver the appropriate asset. However, it will beappreciated, as noted above, that the functionality associated withimplementing location targeting may sometimes vary from that associatedwith other targeting. For example, location information for a userequipment device may be provided from the network or a location system,whereas other kinds of information may be inferred from a clickstream.Moreover, location is generally device dependent rather than userdependent and may not change as often as other classification parametersfor certain devices.

The foregoing description of the present invention has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, thedescription is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosedherein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with theabove teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are withinthe scope of the present invention. The embodiments describedhereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known ofpracticing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art toutilize the invention in such, or other embodiments and with variousmodifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of thepresent invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construedto include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the priorart.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for use in targeting assets ofbroadcast network content, comprising the steps of: receiving assetdelivery information regarding an asset at a user equipment devicedisposed within a broadcast network topology of a broadcast network;determining a location criterion from said asset delivery informationindicating a targeting region for said asset defined according to alocation information structure that is independent of the broadcastnetwork topology, said broadcast network topology defining networkregions within which broadcast signals are received by user equipmentdevices due to the broadcast nature of said network free from the needto individually address said signals to said user equipment devices;receiving, at said user equipment device, device location informationidentifying a device location of the user equipment device according tosaid location information structure, said device location informationbeing based on an actual location determination for said device andallowing for location of said device free from any independent locationdetermination by said user equipment device; and making a determinationregarding delivery of said asset via the user equipment device based onwhether said user equipment device is within said targeting regionaccording to said location criterion and said device location.
 2. Amethod as set forth in claim 1, wherein said asset is received at saiduser equipment device separately from said asset delivery information.3. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said determination is usedin transmitting, to a platform of said broadcast network, an indicationof suitability of an asset to be delivered.
 4. A method as set forth inclaim 1, further comprising communicating, based on said determination,an indication regarding transmission of said asset to the broadcastnetwork, and receiving said asset after said step of communicating.
 5. Amethod as set forth in claim 1, further including reporting, via saidnetwork, an indication of delivery of said asset by said user equipmentdevice.
 6. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of makinga determination is executed at said user equipment device.
 7. A methodas set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of directing saiduser equipment device to deliver said asset.
 8. A method as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said location information structure is a Cartesianlocation information structure.
 9. A method as set forth in claim 1,wherein said location information structure is a radial locationinformation structure.
 10. A method as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid location information structure spans multiple broadcast networks.11. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said location informationstructure is defined in relation to geo-coordinate information.
 12. Amethod as set forth in claim 1, wherein said location informationstructure is defined in relation to a grid of centroids.
 13. A method asset forth in claim 1, wherein identifying said device location of theuser equipment device according to said location information structurecomprises mapping location information stored at said user equipmentdevice to said location information structure.
 14. A method as set forthin claim 1, wherein: said user equipment device is a mobile device incommunication with said broadcast network; and identifying said devicelocation of the user equipment device according to said locationinformation structure comprises identifying said device location as acurrent location of the user equipment device with respect to saidbroadcast network, and mapping said current location to said locationinformation structure.
 15. A method as set forth in claim 1, whereinmaking said determination regarding delivery of said asset comprises:determining whether said user equipment device is within said targetingregion by calculating whether said device location falls within aportion of said location information structure defined by said locationcriterion.
 16. A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein calculatingwhether said device location falls within a portion of said locationinformation structure defined by said location criterion comprisescalculating according to a point in area or a radius analysis algorithm.17. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising, receiving, atsaid user equipment device from said network platform, second devicelocation information for said user equipment device.
 18. A method as setforth in claim 17, wherein said device location information identifies adifferent location of said user equipment device at a different timethan said device location information.
 19. A method as set forth inclaim 17, wherein said second device location information is differentthan said device location information but corresponds to said samedevice location.
 20. A method for use in targeting assets of broadcastnetwork content, comprising the steps of: inserting an asset in abroadcast network associated with a broadcast network topology, saidbroadcast network topology defining network regions within whichbroadcast signals are received by user equipment devices due to thebroadcast nature of said network free from the need to individuallyaddress said signals to said user equipment devices; inserting alocation criterion related to said asset in said broadcast networkindicating a targeting region for said asset defined according to alocation information structure that is independent of the broadcastnetwork topology, wherein said location criterion is capable of beinginterpreted by a user equipment device to determine whether a devicelocation of the user equipment device is located within the targetingregion-location information structure, such that the asset is deliveredvia the user equipment device only when the user equipment device islocated substantially within the targeting region; and providing devicelocation information, based on an actual location determination for saiddevice, identifying said device location, from a network platform tosaid user equipment device such that said user equipment device cancompare its location to said location criterion free from anyindependent location determination by said user equipment device.
 21. Amethod as set forth in claim 20, wherein said step of inserting saidasset is executed in response to receiving an indication from at leastone user equipment device regarding a fit between said locationcriterion and information stored at said user equipment device.
 22. Amethod as set forth in claim 21, wherein the information stored at saiduser equipment device is said location of said user equipment device.23. A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said location criterioncontains geographical coordinate information.
 24. A method as set forthin claim 20, wherein said asset includes said location criterion.
 25. Amethod as set forth in claim 20, further comprising: receiving saidtargeting region defined outside said location information structure;and generating said location criterion comprising mapping said targetingregion to said location information structure.
 26. A method of targetingassets of broadcast network content, comprising the steps of: creatingan asset delivery location criterion relating to an asset wherein saidasset delivery location criterion is independent of the broadcastnetwork topology, said broadcast network topology defining networkregions within which broadcast signals are received by connected userequipment devices due to the broadcast nature of said network free fromthe need to individually address said signals to said user equipmentdevices; transmitting, via said broadcast network, device locationinformation to a number of user equipment devices within a givenbroadcast region, said device location information relating to one ormore of said user equipment devices, such that said user equipmentdevice can compare its location to said location criterion free from anyindependent location determination by said user equipment device;storing at least a portion of said device location information at eachsaid user equipment device; transmitting, to said user equipment deviceswithin said given broadcast network region, an asset delivery requestcontaining said asset delivery location criterion for a given asset;mapping at least one of said location criterion or said device locationso that both are defined according to a shared location informationstructure that is independent of the broadcast network topology;broadcasting, to said user equipment devices within said given broadcastnetwork region free from individually addressing said user equipmentdevices, said given asset; making a delivery determination, at each ofsaid user equipment devices, regarding delivery of said asset using saiddevice location information and said asset delivery location criterionaccording to their respective definitions on said shared locationinformation structure; and selectively delivering said asset based onsaid delivery determination.
 27. A method as set forth in claim 26,further including transmitting, from one or more of said user equipmentdevices to said broadcast network, an indication regarding assetdelivery.
 28. A method as set forth in claim 26, further includingdetermining location information for a given user equipment device basedon a user equipment device identifier.
 29. A method for use in targetingassets of broadcast network content, comprising the steps of: providinga network having a network topology defined by a number of subdivisions,wherein each subdivision is associated with a routing node incommunication with the user equipment devices of the subdivisions, saidbroadcast network topology defining network regions within whichbroadcast signals are received by user equipment devices due to thebroadcast nature of said network free from the need to individuallyaddress said signals to said user equipment devices and differentcontent can be transmitted to user equipment devices in differentsubdivisions via the respective routing nodes of the differentsubdivisions; and targeting an asset to user equipment devicesindependent of said network topology by: determining which of thesubdivisions fall at least partially within said targeting region;routing a location criterion related to said asset via said broadcastnetwork to the routing nodes of the subdivisions falling at leastpartially within said targeting region, said location criterion relatingto at least a portion of said targeting region defined according to alocation information structure that is independent of said networktopology; transmitting the location criterion from each routing node tothe user equipment devices in communication therewith; providing adevice location of said user device according to said locationinformation structure to said user device such that said user device cancompare its location to said location criterion free from anyindependent location determination by said user device; and making adetermination regarding a suitability of said asset for said userequipment device using said device location and said location criterionaccording to their respective definitions on said location informationstructure.
 30. A method as set forth in claim 29, wherein saiddetermination is made at said user equipment.
 31. A method as set forthin claim 29, wherein said determining said device location of said userdevice according to said location information structure is made at leastin at a network platform separate from said user equipment device.